July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity, achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, while also recognising the ongoing work needed to create a more inclusive society.
At Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), Disability Pride Month aligns closely with our commitment to inclusion, equity and learner-centred education. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating environments where everyone can participate, contribute and thrive.
What is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month originated in the United States; it is recognised internationally as a celebration of disability identity, and has been growing in significance in Ireland since the first Disability Pride Parade in the UK and Ireland held in Belfast in 2014.
The Importance of Disability Pride
Disability Pride Month encourages us to recognise disability as a natural and valuable part of human diversity. It highlights the strengths, talents and lived experiences of people with disabilities and challenges stereotypes and assumptions.
What does the Disability Pride Flag mean?
The Disability Pride Flag is a symbol of unity, pride, and visibility for the disability community, celebrating the diversity of disabled people’s experiences while recognising the barriers they have faced and continue to overcome. The diagonal stripes symbolise breaking through societal barriers, represented by the black background.
- Red: Physical disabilities.
- Gold: Cognitive and intellectual disabilities, neurodivergence.
- White: Invisible disabilities and undiagnosed conditions.
- Blue: Emotional and psychiatric disabilities.
- Green: Sensory disabilities, including blindness, deafness, and other sensory conditions.
- Black background: Mourning and protest for victims of ableist violence, abuse, and neglect.
Reflecting on LOETB Commitment:
As we mark Disability Pride Month, LOETB reaffirms its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality. We recognise that meaningful inclusion is an ongoing journey, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that our services, programmes and workplaces are accessible and welcoming for all.
LOETB are proud to acknowledge, value and celebrate the strengths, skills and growth of our students with disabilities. Every effort is made to support and promote everyone’s ability to reach their potential.
For Disability Pride Month we wanted to present a flavour of how LOETB support our learners with disabilities and how we see ‘Ability’ in all our learners.
Universal Design for Inclusive Education
LOETB Adoption of the Universal Design Altitude Charter
Serving as a practical framework for embedding inclusion at all levels, the Charter is structured around four key pillars:
- Learning, Teaching & Assessment
- Supports, Services & Social Engagement
- An Timpeallacht Fhisiciúil
- Digital Environment
Each pillar contains clear goals and actionable steps to eliminate barriers and embed inclusive practices across FET provision.
LOETB welcomed Dara Ryder, Chief Executive of AHEAD, as keynote speaker at a dedicated FET Staff Gathering held on Thursday, 16 October 2025. In a special session focused on inclusive practice and shared responsibility.
Read more about LOETB’s adoption of the ALTITUDE Charter.
Embedding Universal Design into Assessments
Using Universal Design Principles to increase inclusive access to examinations, the LOETB AUDio for Access: Using Audio to Level the Assessment Playing Field initiative was featured in the ETBI UD in FET event on 6 November 2025.
Presenters on the day: Anne Marie Keane, QA FET Manager, Jolene Hall, Enterprise Skills FET Manager, Mary Lanier, Teacher and Learning Support, Tullamore FETC, and Therese Glennon, LOETB FET Access Officer.
Provision of Sensory Rooms and Spaces
A number of LOETB FET campuses have sensory spaces. We are continuing to progress plans for the rollout of sensory spaces across our services.
Sensory rooms and spaces benefit everyone. They are specially designed space that provides a calm, supportive, and inclusive environment for people of all ages and abilities. A variety of sensory equipment and resources that can help individuals regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, improve focus, and promote overall well-being. Offering a safe and welcoming space away from noise, crowds, and other distractions.
Assistive Technology Showcase
On June 11 2026, as part of PPN Offaly Disability Week, LOETB hosted a workshop to introduce technology as a practical support for adults in learning and to provide some solutions to learning challenges their family members might be experiencing.
Exhibitors included LOETB Learner Support staff, Chime, Vision Ireland, Offaly Library, the National Learning Network (NLN) and Offaly Disability Equality Network (ODEN).
On the day, those in attendance received live discussions and demonstrations of how the device and software work. Attendees had the opportunity to access and demo equipment, chat with exhibitors for first-hand support and advice. Attendees also had a chance to chat with the library team in Offaly and received a fantastic tour of all the facilities available.
Presentation on LOETB Transitions Project for students in Special Education Schools, in collaboration with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
LOETB were invited to present at CES Transitions Pilot Showcase Day 20 May, in Portlaoise, hosted by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). It was a day of shared learning, collaboration and student voice.
Schools shared innovative transition practices, highlighting partnership and student-centred approaches. Exhibiting the learning, collaboration, and innovation across 41 special schools, sharing effective practice and pathways supporting student transitions.
LOETB were delighted to present their project in collaboration with St Francis School, Portlaoise. The project supported school leavers from St. Francis School to access Further Education and Training programmes in Portlaoise.
