[Image: a graphic with a dark and light purple background featuring images associated with media, including an illuminated “On Air” sign, microphones, television cameras, a newspaper, and a camera operator. Text reads: “Access Media. A series on disabled representation in the Irish Media.” Logos for Coimisiún na Meán , Disability Participation News Hub and Disabled Women Ireland are along the bottom of the image.]

Access Media: A series on Disabled Representation in the Irish Media

Calling all media and communications professionals!

Would you like to learn more about how you can make Irish media more inclusive when it comes to the representation of disabled people?

We are delighted to once again join forces with Disabled Women Ireland, with the support of Coimisiún na Meán, to raise awareness about how disabled people are represented in Irish media, and how we can all play a part in creating change.

Our Access Media Series aims to connect you with disabled people working behind the scenes, on our screens, and across all forms of media, on the challenges and opportunities in accessing and working in these spaces, and what can be done to further inclusion and representation.

Sessions will take place online from July to November 2026, featuring webinars and panels where you can learn more on the following topics:

• Session 1: Language and Ethical Storytelling

• Session 2: Accessing Production Spaces in Ireland as a Disabled Person

• Session 3: Representation of Disabled People in Irish Journalism

• Session 4: Representation of Disabled People in Irish Film, TV and Broadcast Media

• Session 5: Misinformation and Disinformation in the Media – The Impact on Disabled People

ISL interpretation will be available for each session.

Register via Eventbrite and spread the word with your networks!

Keep an eye on our social media for speaker updates and highlights.

This series is supported by Coimisiún na Meán.

[Image: a graphic with a dark and light purple background with text reading: “Access Media. Language and Ethical Storytelling. Date: 21st July. Time: 7pm–8pm. Venue: Zoom. Registration via Eventbrite. ISL interpretation available. Speakers include: Dr. Amy Hassett, Gillian Kearns, Nem Kearns and Nicole Lonican.” Images of each speaker line the right hand side of the image. Logos for Coimisiún na Meán, Disability Participation News Hub and Disabled Women Ireland are along the bottom of the image. A QR code linking to the eventbrite for this event is in the bottom right hand corner]

Access Media: Session #1 - Language and Ethical Storytelling

Language shapes how we see the world and how we see each other. The words and frames used to describe disabled people in the media have a profound impact on public understanding, on policy, and on the ability of disabled people to assert and realise their rights.

In this session, we explore how language and framing around disability in the media can either reinforce harmful stereotypes or become a powerful tool for change. We’ll examine what ethical storytelling looks like in practice: how disabled people’s stories and experiences can be shared in ways that are honest and compelling without being reductive, patronising, or demeaning.

We’ll hear from disabled people who have engaged extensively with the media about the real challenges of navigating media spaces as a disabled person, and we’ll showcase examples of good practice - meaningful collaborations between disabled people and media makers where the interests of both are genuinely served. These are stories that draw attention to important issues while preserving the dignity and complexity of the people at their centre.

This session is an invitation to rethink what responsible, rights-affirming media coverage of disability looks like - and to explore what becomes possible when disabled people and the media work together, not around each other.

Details:
Date: 21^st July 2026
Time: 7pm -8pm
Venue: Zoom
Register for Access Media: Session #1 here.

This series is supported by Coimisiún na Meán.

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.

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What does Disability Pride Month mean to you?

We want to hear your thoughts!

Disability Pride month takes place in July, and we are working on a special edition of our Disability Participation News Hub newsletter, where we share what Disability Pride/Disability Pride Month means to you.

You can also let us know if there’s something you would like to raise awareness of or highlight this Disability Pride Month.

Video and audio submissions also accepted!

You can choose to share art/images/photography for this edition too inspired by Disability Pride Month.

You can choose to have your responses anonymous.

You can also choose to add your details to be quoted in the edition and our social media posts/website.

Please note that we may not be able to share all submissions received.

Feel free to share with friends, colleagues and networks.

⏰ Deadline to take part: 10th July 2026

Fill out our Disability Pride Month Survey here.

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Want to support our work?

📰 Sign up here to receive our free weekly newsletter every Wednesday
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.

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Communicating Europe: A Series on Rights, Access, and Ireland’s EU Presidency for 2026

Dear Reader,

We are delighted to share that we will be launching a new, limited-edition newsletter series from July to December this year - Communicating Europe: A Series on Rights, Access, and Ireland’s EU Presidency for 2026.

This series aims to connect you with information about Ireland’s EU Presidency, disability rights and accessibility at EU level, and how to get involved and influence change.

Each month, our newsletter subscribers will receive a special edition of our Communication Europe series, featuring articles by Níamh Ní Hoireabhaird, as well as facts, resources, and interviews.

As part of this project we will also have new resources available to raise awareness about Ireland’s EU Presidency.

If you aren’t already signed up to our weekly newsletter, you can click this link to subscribe for weekly updates and our Communicating Europe Series.

To keep up to date with this project and others, head over to our website to learn more.

We’d also love to hear your thoughts!

Is there anything you’d like us to explore in this series?

Let us know by commenting below.

Leave a comment

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Communicating Europe Series: Edition #1

What is the EU Presidency, and how does it work?

Welcome to the first of our Communication Europe Series, where we explore rights, access and Ireland’s EU Presidency for 2026.

In this edition, we are beginning our journey in understanding what the EU Presidency is and how it works.

This edition features an article by Níamh Ní Hoireabhaird, facts, resources, news and upcoming events related to the presidency.

Link to Edition #1 of our Communicating Europe Series here.

What is the EU Presidency, and how does it work?

Article by Níamh Ní Hoireabhaird

From 1 July to December 2026, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will be the eighth time Ireland has held the presidency, having occupied the position seven times previously, in 1975, 1979, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2004, and 2013.

What is it?

The Council of the European Union, sometimes referred to as the Council of Ministers, is where government ministers from each EU country meet to negotiate, amend and adopt legislation.

Unlike the roles of President of the Europe Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission, this is not an elected position. Instead, the Presidency has rotates between EU member states every six months. Currently, each of the 27 member states hold the role every 13.5 years.

The Presidency is responsible for leading the Council’s legislative work, and acting as a coordinator between the other EU member states.

When a country holds the presidency, it is responsible for tasks like: planning and chairing meetings of the Council and its preparatory bodies, and representing the Council in relations with other EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament and the Commission.

This means that the country holding the Presidency has an important role in deciding when Council meetings are held, how they run and what is discussed.

During a country’s Presidency, they must act neutrally and impartially.

How does it work?

Groups of three member states holding successive presidencies, known as a ‘trio’, work together to ensure consistency across their terms as President. Ireland is part of a trio with Lithuania and Greece, both of which will host their presidencies in 2027.

Ireland will be taking on the role of the rotating presidency from Cyprus, which held the Presidency from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026. Cyprus is last in a trio of presidencies with Poland and Denmark, which held their presidencies in 2025.

Before their term starts, a trio agrees on their shared priorities that the Council will focus on ahead of their combined 18-month Presidency - this is referred to as a ‘trio programme’. Each state then sets its own, more detailed 6-month agenda.

Ireland’s Presidency

The Presidency is an opportunity for Ireland to showcase its administrative abilities to other European governments.

If the Presidency goes well, it will demonstrate to other countries that Ireland is a trustworthy diplomatic partner.

During its Presidency, Ireland will host 22 Informal ministerial meetings as well as a meeting of the European Political Community and an informal meeting of the European Council, and over 250 other important meetings and conferences.

Ireland’s priorities for the Presidency are competitiveness, values and security.

In a speech about the country’s upcoming Presidency, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen Entee stated,

“Hosting the Presidency is a significant opportunity for Ireland…It is a chance to shape discussions on the issues that matter most to people and to showcase Ireland on the European stage.”

This series is supported by the Communicating Europe Initiative through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Subscribe now

Want to support our work?

📰 Sign up here to receive our free weekly newsletter every Wednesday
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.