Republic of Ireland
Training and employment
City of Dublin FET
City of Dublin FET
EmployAbility Service: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/employability-services/ Free job coaching, job matching and in-work support for people with a disability. There are 23 local services, listed here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/28d5a6-list-of-employability-organisations/
Intreo (work supports for people with a disability): https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f6d74-get-work-supports-if-you-have-a-disability/
Your local Intreo Centre is the starting point. It can refer you to EmployAbility, which provides job coaching and support once you’re in work.
WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment: https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/workability-inclusive-pathways-to-employment-programme/
A government-funded programme aimed at people with disabilities aged 16+ who aren’t yet work-ready. It runs from 2024 to 2028 and funds 56 organisations nationwide.
WALK: https://walk.ie
Helps people with an intellectual disability and/or autism to reach their full employment potential, including through the WALK PEER school-to-work programme.
Specialisterne Ireland: https://specialisterne.ie
Not-for-profit recruitment support for autistic and neurodivergent people. It offers free interview training and continues supporting candidates and their managers after they start.
Auticon Ireland: https://auticon.com
It employs autistic professionals in IT roles and provides job coaches for employees and employers.
Open Doors Initiative: https://opendoorsinitiative.ie
A network of over 95 companies and NGOs creating pathways to work through internships, training and employment.
Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities: https://www.tcd.ie/tcpid/
A university programme for students with ID, with research and employer links focused on the move from education to work.
Work and Access https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/work-and-access/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Financial assistance for workplace adaptations, specialist work coaches and communication supports.
Special schools
There are different models for special education in schools in Ireland. As well as special schools, many other schools include special units.
Information on Special Schools in Ireland Irish Government Website
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
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Northern Ireland
Training and employment
Orchardville: https://www.orchardville.com
Employability courses, travel training and employer links for people aged 16+ with a learning disability or autism.
USEL (Ulster Supported Employment): https://www.usel.co.uk
Northern Ireland’s leading disability employment provider. It runs one-to-one support, Skills for Life and Work for young people, and social enterprises offering real work training.
Supported Employment Solutions (Workable NI): https://www.sesni.org.uk
Available to anyone over 16 with a disability who wants to get into, or stay in, work. You can self-refer, or be referred through a Jobs and Benefits office, a social worker or a family member.
Mencap NI: https://northernireland.mencap.org.uk
Helps people with a learning disability across Northern Ireland build employability and keep paid jobs.
Cedar Foundation: https://www.cedar-foundation.org/employment-support
Pre-employment training and mentoring, with particular support for autistic people leaving further and higher education.
NOW Group: https://nowgroup.org
Training and employment support for people with learning difficulties and autism, in Belfast and Dublin.
Disability Action: https://www.disabilityaction.org
Runs a skills for life and work programme and apprenticeships.
Special schools
Special Education in Northern Ireland
Information on Special Education and how children are supported in schools – Special Education Needs and Disability Website (SEN)
Department of Education (NI) – Special education needs