Dan O’Neill leads workshop to close Ireland’s disability employment gap
Updated
Updated · Limerick Live · May 6
Dan O’Neill leads workshop to close Ireland’s disability employment gap
3 articles · Updated · Limerick Live · May 6
The Limerick-based Siptu College educator trained shop stewards and workers nationwide, as Ireland’s disability employment gap stands at 39%, the highest in the EU.
The session focused on barriers facing neurodivergent employees and on using Employment Equality Acts protections to secure reasonable accommodations such as sensory-friendly workplaces and flexible scheduling.
With up to one in four employees now self-identifying as neurodivergent, O’Neill and Siptu want neurodiversity rights written into collective bargaining agreements as enforceable workplace standards.
Ireland has the EU’s worst disability employment gap. Can union contracts fix a problem that corporate DEI initiatives have largely failed to solve?
When companies report huge profits from neurodiversity programs, are they truly being inclusive or just optimizing a new talent pool for productivity?
If the modern workplace is the real disability, what does a truly accessible office, designed from scratch for neurodiversity, actually look like?
Closing Ireland’s 38.6% Disability Employment Gap: Union Advocacy, Systemic Barriers, and Strategic Roadmaps for Inclusive Workplaces
Overview
Dan O’Neill, a trade union educator at SIPTU College, is leading a national initiative to champion neurodiversity in Irish workplaces. This initiative recognizes that people naturally think and process information in different ways, which can bring both strengths and challenges depending on the work environment. O’Neill’s work empowers union leaders and members with the knowledge and tools to advocate for neurodivergent colleagues and dismantle ableist practices. A key part of this effort is the 'Neurodiversity at Work' workshop, which educates participants on supporting neurodiversity and creating more inclusive workplaces.