Global Accessibility Awareness Week Events
Global Accessibility Awareness Week at UL 2026
Monday, 18 May
Accessible Communication training 11am to 1pm
Location: online
This session will focus on practical, effective strategies to enhance the accessibility of your digital content. Participants will discover how to create more accessible content, including 'quick wins' that will enable them to communicate more effectively across various UL platforms, including BrightSpace and Office 365, specifically in applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The session will cover the fundamentals of accessibility so staff can create more inclusive and accessible documents, tables, images, and audio materials.
Moreover, the format will encourage audience participation and include hands-on exercises, allowing participants to practice and apply the knowledge acquired during the session. Attention will also be given to the segments related to accessibility and the influence of AI, as well as accessibility practices and social media. The session will also include brief demonstrations of commonly utilised assistive technologies, illustrating how these tools interact with both accessible and inaccessible digital content
For more information please email Thomas O Shaughnessy
Sign-up for Accessible Communications Workshop
Lens on Inclusion: A Multidisciplinary Student Research Showcase 1pm to 2.30pm
Location: The CoLab, Glucksman Library
Join us for this dynamic showcase of student research celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day at UL. This event brings together final-year students from Architecture, Product Design, and Sociology to present their research focused on various aspects and perspectives on inclusion. Through a series of short presentations, a poster gallery, and open discussions across disciplines, these students will demonstrate how thoughtful design and diverse social insights can dismantle barriers and contribute to a more equitable world. This is an opportunity to see the breadth of student thinking on inclusion at UL and to join the fascinating cross-disciplinary conversations generated. All welcome!
For more information, email Tracy McAvinue
Register for the Lens on Inclusion event
Different Pathways, Same Destination - an inclusive event to explore future learning options for all at UL 3pm to 4pm
Location: online
Join us for “Different Pathways, Same Destination” — an inclusive event welcoming everyone, including Leaving Certificate students, QQI learners, and adult learners, to explore their future learning options at UL.
For more information, email the Widening participation office or Disability services
To Join the meeting, click this link
Tuesday 19 May
Web accessibility 10am to 11am
Location: online
Paul Leigh from the UL Web Team will explain why web accessibility is not only important for accessibility, but also makes sense for SEO and other aspects of digital communication online.
Join web accessibility talk here
Examples of inclusive research practice at UL 11am to 12.30am
Location: online
This event will highlight the findings of two research projects that explored inclusive practice in higher education.
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 4 research project explored faculty and student perspectives of inclusion at UL, and the SATLE-funded UDL initiative, which examined how embedding Universal Design at UL shapes staff practices and student experiences.
Register for Inclusive Practice Research at the University of Limerick
Wednesday 20 May
Meet the Irish Guide Dogs 12pm to 2pm
Location: The market square
Irish Guide Dogs Limerick Branch visit UL. Come and meet the volunteers and amazing ambassador dogs from the Limerick Branch of The Irish Guide Dogs in the main market square.
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is Ireland’s national charity dedicated to enabling people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence.
This year the charity is celebrating 50 years of working with a community of Breeders, Puppy Raisers, Home Socialisers, Temporary Boarders, Trainers, Staff, Volunteers and supporters to change as many lives as possible.
Thursday 21 May
Accessible campus tour - 10am to 11am, 2pm to 3 pm and 3pm to 4 pm
Location: Meeting point, Graduates attributes hub
Join us for an inclusive and informative Accessible Campus Tour, open to all students and staff. This guided tour will showcase the significant accessibility advancements made across campus in recent years, from improved pathways and upgraded facilities to new supports designed to make our community more welcoming for everyone.
We’ll also take an honest look at the barriers that remain, highlighting areas where further progress is needed. Your insights and experiences matter, and this tour is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and contribute to shaping a more accessible future for our campus.
Whether you’re passionate about universal design, curious about recent improvements, or want to better understand the lived experiences of others, this tour offers a meaningful way to engage.
Accessible Campus Tour Sign Up Form – Fill out form
Supporting ADHD learners workshop with Karen Costa- 11.30am to 12.45 pm
Location online
This workshop presents a new, inclusive vision of ADHD that will disrupt most of what you think you know about this supposed disorder that's not a disorder at all. Framed within the neurodiversity paradigm, attendees will gain a newfound understanding of ADHD, providing a stronger foundation for their work with ADHD learners. In addition to this big-picture vision, attendees will have the opportunity to learn and practice specific teaching and design strategies they can immediately apply in their work.
Karen Costa is an author, adjunct faculty, and faculty development facilitator working in higher education. Her second book, An Educator's Guide to ADHD: Designing and Teaching for Student Success was published by Johns Hopkins University Press on January 20, 2026.
Register for Karen Costa Event - Supporting ADHD Learners
Friday 22 May
Inclusion at UL - Student Panel 12pm to 1pm
Join us for a student panel focusing on the lived experience of accessibility and inclusion at UL. Don't miss this opportunity to reflect on how we, the UL community, can ensure a student experience that is inclusive and accessible to ALL students. This event will be chaired by Sean Byrnes, third year student currently working on a coop placement with the Centre for Transformative Learning. All welcome
Any queries can be directed by email to Tracy McAvinue or Suzanne Stone
Unlocking Universal Design podcasts
Daily podcasts on universal design throughout GAAD week
Check out the special GAAD week episodes of the 'Unlocking Universal Design' podcast produced by the Centre for Transformative Learning. Colleagues in teaching and non-teaching roles share how they apply Universal Design in practice to create a more inclusive experience for students within and beyond the classroom. Check out the three-minute 'one small change' for a quick listen or the longer format for a deeper dive.
Listen here
Friday 16 May
Inclusion at UL - Student Panel 12pm to 1pm
Join us for a student panel where students will discuss their experiences of accessibility and inclusion in UL. This is an opportunity for colleagues to reflect on how UL (individuals or whole schools/faculties/units) can ensure a student experience that is inclusive and accessible to ALL students. This event will be chaired by Dervla Ryan, Student Life Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
Any queries can be directed by email to Tracy McAvinue or Suzanne Stone
