Latest news with #AsIAm
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry hosts fastest ever paralympian and hundreds of experts at adapted physical activity conference
The event was attended by international researchers, educators and advocates from the field of adapted physical activity Kerryman Almost 500 delegates from around the world visited Tralee to attend this year's International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) at the Munster Technological University Kerry North Campus this week. The ISAPA conference, held at MTU Tralee from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, was attended by a host of researchers, educators and advocates from the field of adapted physical activity. Among the expert speakers at the event were Jason Smyth, one of Ireland's most decorated sports stars and holder of the title of the fastest Paralympian in history, and Dr Robert Steadward, an award-winning teacher and sport scientist who serves as an honorary member of the International Paralympic Committee. Adam Harris, founder of Ireland's autism charity AsIAm, and brother of former Taoiseach Simon Harris, was also in attendance. The conference provided a powerful platform for collaboration and innovation as it combined five major events under one umbrella. The events comprised of ISAPA 2025, the International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness, Mental Health Summit, UNESCO–ISAPA International Consultation on Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport and the Disability Sport, Physical Education and Mental Health Trade Exhibition. Organisers said the conference in Tralee underscored a global commitment to inclusion, innovation and impact in sport and physical activity for people of all abilities.
Irish Examiner
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Rosie O'Donnell to perform in two back-to-back comedy shows in Dublin ahead of 3Olympia gig
Ahead of her 3Olympia Theatre show in July, US comedian Rosie O'Donnell will headline two Dublin shows on June 11. Spoons!, a show for neurodivergent and disabled comedians, takes place at Sin É on Ormond Quay. O'Donnell will donate her fee to AsIAm. Ian Lynam ( Autistic License) will be MC, joined by Jay Fitz, Jo Jarvie, MJ Stokes, and Nate Thomas. Speaking to the Irish Examiner on booking The Flintstones and Tarzan star, Mr Lynam said: "Rosie had already begun performing in Irish venues, but expressed an interest in playing to a specifically queer audience. 'She also enquired about Spoons!, my show featuring a line-up of neurodivergent and disabled performers. I think it's no surprise that both causes would be close to her heart. 'Rosie's LGBT+ bona fides speak for themselves, with continued advocacy since at least 2002. This has only intensified through her child Clay, who is non-binary. Clay is also autistic, which leads to [Rosie's] interest in Spoons!. 'Rosie has not been regularly performing in over a decade and, overall, I think she's looking for fresh and diverse audiences to test her material out. 'I was amazed to hear of her interest in Hysteria [Comedy at Sin É], but I was even more amazed that she was agreeing to do two shows back-to-back in one night.' The decision to donate her fee to AsIAm 'is linked to her advocacy on Clay's behalf', according to Mr Lynam 'She has donated the fee from every performance so far to the non-profit. I think to truly advocate for queer people is to advocate for neurodivergent people and vice-versa,' he said. 'Organisations like AsIAm argue that there is no single 'right' way for a person to exist and advocate so the same opportunities and dignities can be afforded to all people, regardless of their support needs.' Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell, along with her 12-year-old autistic daughter Clay joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland Later that evening, O'Donnell will be special guest in Token Straight Presents: Rosie O'Donnell & Friends from 8pm at Sin É. For Felix O'Connor, MC of the show, securing O'Donnell for a Pride month gig was 'equal parts thrill and nerves'. 'I think my first reaction was: 'Oh god, is our little club going to be worth her while? Is she going to be insulted with what we can offer her to headline?' She's obviously such a comedy legend. Hysteria is a comedy collective where Token Straight and ticketed shows operate on a profit-share model. Token Straight is the longest-running queer comedy night in Dublin and, Mr O'Connor believes, the only queer stand-up night currently operating. Other LGBT+ shows include Queer Note Glitter Cabaret and Egg in Bello Bar, while drag and one-off Pride shows happen elsewhere. Hysteria has worked with AsIAm before, with several collective members on the spectrum or with ADHD. Rosie was already working with AsIAm when contacted, he added. Actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell on right walks with Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm and Eric Roberts Social Media Star joined hundreds of people attending the AsIAm Same Chance - Walk for Autism in Dublin at Dublin's Malahide Castle. Picture:Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland First-time audiences to Spoons! can expect 'a rich mix of performers from various backgrounds and identities,' Mr Lynam said. 'The ideal for Spoons! is to be material by neurodivergent artists for neurodivergent audiences. I want to create a space where autistic people can enjoy comedy without worrying they'll be picked on by someone on stage. 'One thing that Spoons! offers that makes it unique is that it's the one comedy show that still encourages performers and audience to wear masks. 'While it's easy to feel like covid is over, the reality is I saw a lot of friends with chronic illnesses and conditions too afraid to return to live shows in case they risked infection. The mask rule isn't about judging anyone or making them feel like they're doing something wrong, I'm just trying to carve out one safe space in a pub basement for my community to gather. 'On a personal note, I was recently diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and may need to begin immunosuppressants, so this rule is now for my protection just as much as anyone else,' he added. The former The View co-host moved to Ireland after wildfires destroyed her Malibu home and following Donald Trump's re-election. On March 11, O'Donnell said on TikTok she is applying for Irish citizenship, as her grandparents were Irish. 'I'm trying to find a home here… when it's safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America, we'll consider coming back,' she said on TikTok. Spoons! starts at 6:30pm, with tickets from €8 on Eventbrite. The 8 p.m. Token Straight show is sold out. Hysteria Comedy runs three weekly shows at Sin É (@hysteriaireland on Instagram). Rosie O'Donnell's solo stand-up show, Common Ground, will take place at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre on Sunday, July 27.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
PTSB launches new Sustainability Strategy up to 2027
PTSB has today launched its new Sustainability Strategy, which covers the years from 2025 to 2027, and which will focus on channeling investment and directing impact towards areas that enhance societal wellbeing. These include a specific focus on providing finance to SMEs that have an environmental and social impact as well as expanding supports for personal customers through sustainable products and services. The bank also plans to enhance its financial literacy and financial wellbeing and also plans to reducing carbon emissions in line with Science Based Targets. It will also invest in local community initiatives and advocating for social inclusion, such as PTSB's Community Funding Programme and its partnership with autism charity AsIAm. Meanwhile, a new report from PTSB shows that most Irish businesses are looking at new commercial opportunities in sustainability, in areas such as energy efficiency, climate technology, circular economy, renewable energy and organic food production. PTSB's latest "Reflecting Business" report also shows more and more Irish businesses see the benefits of sustainability initiatives for both their commercial and their environmental benefit. The research found that 78% of Irish businesses see the sustainability market as a major growth opportunity to win more customers and increase revenues, while 92% say their customers are interested in sustainable products and services. It also reveals that 74% of business here said they have supported customers in making more sustainable choices, or plan to do so, while 73% said they have engaged with suppliers to source more sustainable goods or services, or plan to do so. Meanwhile, 80% of businesses said they are are interested in Impact Lending, where loans are offered to businesses on the basis of providing a positive environmental or social impact. Despite rising costs and global economic uncertainty, today's research found cautious levels of optimism among businesses, with 98% of businesses expecting to grow or remain the same over the next 12 months. 45% are expecting growth, 53% expect to remain the same, while 2% expect to decline. PTSB said that increased cost of goods and global economic turbulence are seen as the biggest challenges to growth that face businesses, with 36% citing increased cost of goods as an issue and 35% citing global economic turbulence. But despite these headwinds, 80% of businesses feel it is likely or somewhat likely that they will invest further in their business over the next 12 months, with 20% saying they are not likely to. Leontia Fannin, PTSB's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, said the research shows that more and more Irish businesses are identifying the commercial opportunities that sustainability can bring. "Customers are changing their buying habits to become more sustainable and businesses are increasingly seeing the benefits of reflecting this shift, enhancing both their own offering and how they source their supplies," she said. "By embracing sustainability, businesses are changing their behaviours, not just for the environmental and societal benefits this can bring, but for the cost efficiencies and commercial benefits too," she added. Seán Farrell, PTSB's Head of Business Banking, said the commercial case for sustainability is growing. He said that businesses have identified the importance that existing and potential customers are placing on sustainability, and they are reacting accordingly. "Our Reflecting Business research confirms that Irish businesses recognise the competitive and strategic advantage of embedding sustainability into their operations. This reflects our own experience, with 23% of our new SME lending in 2024 to businesses that have an environmental or social impact," he said. "Businesses who invest in sustainability are also investing in their growth potential by lowering their energy usage, transport costs and by reducing waste," he added.
RTÉ News
12-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
SuperValu and Centra's new charity partnership with DRS
SuperValu and Centra customers are being offered a new way to donate to charity through the country's Deposit Return Scheme. Customers returning cans and bottles at SuperValu and Centra stores will have the option to donate their deposit to the retailers' chosen charity partners. Up to €47m will be returned to SuperValu and Centra customers through the Deposit Return Scheme this year. SuperValu is supporting AsIAm, the country's autism charity, while Centra is partnering with the Irish Cancer Society. Up to €47m will be returned to SuperValu and Centra customers through the Deposit Return Scheme this year and more than 700 DRS machines between the two networks will be used. The campaign will be rolled out across 352 machines in the Centra network and 359 machines in the SuperValu network. The new initiative is being rolled out on an initial three-month basis with the two charity partners, and with SuperValu and Centra working with different charities throughout the year. Luke Hanlon, Managing Director SuperValu and Centra, said that the Deposit Return Scheme has been a success across SuperValu and Centra stores since the rollout last year. "This initiative gives our customers a simple and effective opportunity to support great causes while increasing awareness of the Deposit Return Scheme as a whole. We look forward to working with both charities to ensure the partnership reaches its fullest potential," he said. Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said that customers donating their DRS vouchers to AsIAm at SuperValu stores nationwide is a powerful way for people to show their support to make Ireland a more inclusive place for the at least one in 20 people in Ireland who are autistic, and their families. Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society, said the initiative is a really important and valuable partnership for the Irish Cancer Society.
Irish Times
09-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘It comes from fear': Aoife Daly on parents' battles to get autistic children into schools
When Aoife Daly read the findings of a report by inspectors into how school admissions policies are placing barriers to entry for children with autism, there was no surprise – just recognition. 'It was sobering to read, but not shocking,' said Ms Daly, who has struggled to find a school place for her five-year-old boy, Bertie, who is autistic . 'It just confirms what many parents know already.' The review of admission policies for entry to special classes at 30 mainstream schools – 15 primary and 15 post-primary – carried out by the Department of Education 's inspectorate found 'almost all' admissions policies contained conditions which could limit access to appropriate education for autistic children. These exclusionary criteria include requirements that children should be able to participate in mainstream classes; restrictions on admissions to children with a certain level of disability; or refusal to admit children on the basis of their potential behaviour. READ MORE The findings have prompted Minister for Education Helen McEntee to write to school patrons asking them to review admissions policies to ensure they adhere to legal requirements. The autism charity AsIAm said restrictive admissions practices were reflective of a school system that is 'not inclusive' or in keeping with the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 'We commend the report for documenting these issues and for recognising the inconsistency and lack of oversight in how such policies are applied across schools. We must remove the inherent prejudicial practices that exist within these policies,' the charity said, in a statement. Ms Daly said she has applied to 25 primary school in Balbriggan and far beyond in an attempt to find a place for Bertie. Some admissions policies seemed to be framed as if places in special classes were for neurotypical children only, she said. [ Schools' rules are discriminatory to autistic pupils, says autism charity Opens in new window ] 'Some had conditions around behaviour – as if the child should behave in a certain way, with no obvious attempt to get the bottom of what might be behind a child's dysregulation.' The reason for these types of criteria, she feels, is simple. 'I think it comes from fear and a lack of understanding of what neurodiversity is,' she said. 'I wonder if some schools panic when they read a psychologist's report saying that a child is non-verbal. Maybe they feel they don't have the expertise ... none of that was an issue at preschool, where all the children mixed well together.' Principals and school managers privately say they worry about whether resources, training and supports will follow if they open special classes for pupils with complex needs, especially at a time when waiting lists for vital therapeutic services are so long. Some also grumble about the 'chaotic' way special classes are being opened at short notice, leaving schools with little time to prepare. The Government insists resources are available, as well as teacher upskilling, and that record funding for supports is being ploughed into the sector. [ Teacher training to include mandatory placements in special education Opens in new window ] Schools are required to adhere to legal requirements, guidelines and circulars issued by the Department of Education on provision for children and young people with special educational needs. The report emphasises the importance of schools fulfilling their legislative responsibilities in a way that ensures 'children with the greatest need have priority access to special class placements'. While many children are still waiting to find out if they have a school place in the coming academic year, Ms Daly said she is one of the fortunate ones. She eventually secured a place in a 'wonderful' primary school in Ashbourne, Co Meath. The downside is that the school is a two-hour round trip in rush-hour traffic. 'By some luck, they accepted us,' said Ms Daly, who works as a fundraiser for an opera company. 'It's a lovely school. We're very happy to get a place for him, but the logistics of travel and getting him there are far from ideal. 'But we're just happy that he has a place in a school that is supportive and understanding. It's the right kind of school. We're aware that many others are still worrying whether their children will get the right support.'
