The National Disability Authority (NDA), Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) and Age Friendly Ireland unite to drive national action on accessible homes.
Today, their landmark housing conference entitled “Universally Designed Homes: Housing for All,” took place in Dublin, but it was very much focused on a national solution. The conference brought together leaders across government, housing, planning, design, disability advocacy and people with the lived experience of disability to advance a shared national goal: ensuring that accessible homes are a right and not an afterthought.
The event responds directly to the growing demand for housing that reflects Ireland’s diverse population and the urgent need for homes that support independent living for disabled and older people. With national strategies and policy commitments as our foundation, we can work together to ensure that the supply of accessible housing grows to meet future requirements.
Speaking at the event, Ann Marie O’Grady, CEO of Irish Wheelchair Association, said: “Accessible housing is not a luxury—it is a basic requirement for independent living. Too many disabled people are denied the opportunity to live safely and sustainably in their own communities because homes have not been designed with them in mind. This conference is about changing that reality and putting Universal Design at the centre of Ireland’s housing future.”
The one-day event featured national and international experts, policy leaders and representatives with lived experience of disability. Sessions explored;
- Needs, Rights & Reality – understanding the lived experience and policy landscape
- Universally Design Homes – applying best practice in Ireland
- Innovations, Solutions & Opportunities — global insights, new models, and future-focused planning
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate on this important conference to discuss the provision of accessible Age Friendly housing which is central to supporting older people to age in place in their own communities. In Ireland, we are celebrating a rapidly ageing population, one of the highest among our Europe counterparts, and have a unique opportunity to design homes and neighbourhoods with age friendly principles ensuring that lifetime communities are developed for people of all ages across all generations. I want to acknowledge the commitment by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage in the recently published national housing plan “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” to accelerating delivery of housing solutions for older people. The housing sector in Ireland faces significant challenges and it is important to acknowledge the progress that has already been made through policy initiatives and collaborative age friendly housing projects. Age Friendly Ireland will continue to work through our colleagues in local government, in collaboration with Government, approved housing bodies, state bodies, developers, communities and the voice of older people through our Older Peoples Councils to work in partnership for the provision of sustainable housing solutions”
Dr. Aideen Hartney, Director of the National Disability Authority, said: “Ireland is unique in that we are the only country in the world to have a statutory centre for excellence in Universal Design, and we welcome the opportunity to highlight the need for Universally Designed housing. Providing Universal Design and Universal Design + housing to meet the existing and changing needs of our population is critical to ensuring quality of life for disabled and older people while also ensuring the sustainability of our housing stock.”
Éadaoin Ní Chléirigh, Director of Development Operations, Irish Council for Social Housing said: “The AHB sector, which we represent, has a key competence in the delivery of specialist housing for older and disabled people. But in recent years, we haven’t seen accessible housing delivery at anywhere near the scale required. Universally designed homes facilitate inclusive and independent living. In turn this helps build resilient multigenerational communities. Today’s event reflects the partnership required to drive this agenda for change”.
Speakers on the day included representatives from The Housing Agency, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Clúid Housing, World Health Organisation, NDA’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Age Friendly Ireland and the Land Development Agency.
The conference aims to strengthen national collaboration and accelerate progress across multiple fronts by:
- Strengthen awareness of the importance of Universally Designed Homes+
- Supporting architects, planners, developers and housing bodies to embed Universal Design guidelines
- Support housing policy and delivery that reflects and is guided by disabled peoples’ lived experience
- Promoting cross-departmental alignment between government and public bodies
A formal outcomes report will be published following the event to support ongoing national policy development, but the coalition are hoping that this is a turning point for inclusive housing.
