The Galway Disability Forum is a newly formed group which was established in response to the feedback received when the Galway County Public Participation Network[1] organised a Make Way Day event in September 2020 in conjunction with the Disability Federation of Ireland. At the event, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D., addressed this group and presented at its subsequent inaugural meeting, the launch of the Galway Disability Forum, in October 2020.

Individuals with disabilities, carers, family members of persons with disabilities and those providing services for persons with disabilities constitute the Galway Disability Forum. The aim of the Forum is to improve the lives of persons with disabilities residing in County Galway by driving real change on those issues of common interest and concern which have arisen in discussion and debate at our regularly attended meetings. The Forum seeks to plan and coordinate actions that actively addresses these same issues of interest and concern.

[1] The Galway County Public Participation Network is a network of over 960 community and voluntary groups in County Galway. Since the Local Government Reform Act of 2014, PPNs have been established to ensure that the voice of the community is heard in local policy making. Each Local Authority must engage with its PPN as the primary means with which to support, communicate and consult with community groups.