Who gets to build? Too long, disabled entrepreneurs faced systems not designed for them. Today, we begin to change that together.

Self-Employment for Persons with Disabilities

This landmark all-island conference is being hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Inclusion and Innovation (CEBII) at TU Dublin. It brings together disabled entrepreneurs, policymakers, international experts, and support organisations to share lived experience, challenge systemic barriers, and forge a collective vision for a future where self-employment is a genuine and supported pathway for every person with a disability across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This conference will also be streamed online. The link to view the conference online is https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/399219754884166?p=H7NXvSWW7olYFaXYP9 (Meeting ID: 399 219 754 884 166; Passcode: 4cp7n8Vt).

PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT need to register if you are attending online; simply log in using the link above. ONLY register if you will certainly attend in person.

MCs: Breandan Ward and Prof Tom Cooney

09:00–09:15 | Arrival & Accessible Registration

Networking tea/coffee

09:15–09.45 | Welcome

Dr Deirdre Lillis (President of TU Dublin)

Victoria MacKechnie (Director Corporate Affairs & Operations, Workday – event sponsor)

9:45–11:00 | Keynote Session: Learning from Other Countries

Keynote Speakers:

· Prof Tom Williamson (Anglia Ruskin University)

· Thorsten Mayer (Association of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Austria)

11:00–11:30 | Break

11:30–12:30 | Panel 1: Lived Experience & Entrepreneurial Reality

Disabled entrepreneurs (Ireland & Northern Ireland):

· Eddie Hennessy (advocate, former entrepreneur)

· Paula Clarke (artist, broadcaster, NI)

· Emilie Conway (advocate, jazz vocalist)

· Gareth McCay (Managing Director at McCay Legal, NI)

12:30–13:30 | Lunch & Networking

13:30–14:30 | Panel 2: Systems, Supports & Institutions

Panellists:

George Healy (Programme Lead, NI Enterprise Support Service, Belfast City Council)

Marty McLoughlin (Employment & Skills Services Manager, Disability Action, NI)

Olivia Ketterick (Enterprise and Social Enterprise Office, South-West Mayo Development Company)

Padraig Mallon (CEO, Crann Centre)

14:30–14:45 | Break

14:45–15:45 | Panel 3: Policy Futures – An All-Island Perspective

Participants:

Caoimhe Archibald (MLA, Economy Minister, NI)

TBC

15:45–16:30 | Keynote Speaker: Failing to Succeed

· Jason Romero (USA; Author | 3,063-mile LA-to-NYC run | 10+ World Records | Team USA | Blind | Documentary | CEO & Attorney | 20+ 100-mile runs)

16:30–16:45 | Synthesis & Close

Rapporteur-led summary

Key policy insights

Commitments and next steps

Description supplied by the event organiser.