Community, inclusion and collaboration celebrated in Waterford

The event brought together a wide range of community groups and organisations dedicated to supporting people with disabilities
Community, inclusion and collaboration celebrated in Waterford

Tony, Noelle and Sean O'Neill.

Community, inclusion and collaboration was celebrated in Waterford recently through an initiative titled the Include Us All Forum.

Presented by Autism Friendly Waterford in partnership with Waterford Disability Network, the event took place on Saturday, April 18 in the Granville Hotel.

Bridget, Harry, Tom and Tommy Jacob with Pablo the support dog at the Include Us All Forum in the Granville Hotel.
Bridget, Harry, Tom and Tommy Jacob with Pablo the support dog at the Include Us All Forum in the Granville Hotel.

The event brought together a wide range of community groups and organisations dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, creating a vibrant space for collaboration, learning and shared purpose.

A spokesperson for the organisers said the Forum provided an important opportunity for local organisations to connect, exchange resources, and highlight the importance of inclusion within the community.

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Paula Ryan and Isobel Kavanagh.
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Paula Ryan and Isobel Kavanagh.

"Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions and explored ways to strengthen support networks for individuals with disabilities and their families," said the spokesperson.

"A key highlight of the event was the contribution of inspirational speakers, particularly Cara Darmody, whose insights and advocacy resonated with attendees," added the spokesperson.

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Shane Barry, Aaron Griffin, Michelle Cullinane, Jaimie Kelly, Kitty Galvin, Sandra Crowley and Jo Cregan from Waterford Disability Network.
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Shane Barry, Aaron Griffin, Michelle Cullinane, Jaimie Kelly, Kitty Galvin, Sandra Crowley and Jo Cregan from Waterford Disability Network.

Participants had access to a wide range of valuable resources, fostering new connections and encouraging ongoing collaboration among groups in the disability sector.

Overall, the Include Us All Forum was a successful and impactful event, reinforcing the importance of community engagement, shared knowledge, and collective action in promoting inclusion across Waterford.

Pat, Faith and Linda Tutty with Anita Murray, Autism Support Dungarvan.
Pat, Faith and Linda Tutty with Anita Murray, Autism Support Dungarvan.

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Cllr.Donal Barry, Frances Jacob and Mary Rea, Autism Friendly Waterford
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with Cllr.Donal Barry, Frances Jacob and Mary Rea, Autism Friendly Waterford

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with inspirational speaker and Teen Activist Cara Darmody and the Autism Friendly Waterford Young Ambassadors, from left, Megan Jacob, Patrick O'Brien, Sarah Halley, Liam Holton and Sean O'Neill.
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with inspirational speaker and Teen Activist Cara Darmody and the Autism Friendly Waterford Young Ambassadors, from left, Megan Jacob, Patrick O'Brien, Sarah Halley, Liam Holton and Sean O'Neill.

Lynda Lawton, Waterford Chamber and MC at the Include Us All Forum is pictured with the speakers, Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Glenn Lynch, Megan Jacob, Shane Barry and Maria Rockett.
Lynda Lawton, Waterford Chamber and MC at the Include Us All Forum is pictured with the speakers, Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Glenn Lynch, Megan Jacob, Shane Barry and Maria Rockett.

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with the committee of Autism Friendly Waterford, from left,  Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Frances Jacob, Mary Rea, Tony O'Neill, Tish Holton and Aisling White.
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with the committee of Autism Friendly Waterford, from left,  Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Frances Jacob, Mary Rea, Tony O'Neill, Tish Holton and Aisling White.

The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with inspirational speaker Cara Darmody and the committee of Autism Friendly Waterford, from left,  Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Frances Jacob, Mary Rea, Tony O'Neill, Tish Holton and Aisling White.
The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan pictured with inspirational speaker Cara Darmody and the committee of Autism Friendly Waterford, from left,  Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, Frances Jacob, Mary Rea, Tony O'Neill, Tish Holton and Aisling White.

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