This year the International Day for People with Disabilities falls on 3rd December. To mark the occasion the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Disability Committee will launch a guide to supporting Neurodiverse members at work and within trade unions.

The event will take place at 12pm at the Communications Workers’ Union on the North Circular Road, Dublin.

Katie Morgan, Head of the Services and Enterprises Division and ICTU Vice President said “It is important that we as trade unions take on this kind of work. This year at biennial conference we saw the power of people with disabilities advocating for themselves. There is no one better to explain an issue than someone affected by it.”

Members who presented motions addressing disabilities saw their motions pass with great support from attending colleagues.

Fittingly, Brian Dooley, a Fórsa Youth member who identifies as an Autistic ADHDer, presented a motion calling on Fórsa’s NEC to “pursue the adoption of human resource policies in the public sector that recognise the unique nature of communication-based disabilities, i.e., specific communication policies regarding Autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence.”

Upon the passing of his motion Brian reflected: “In many cases neurodivergent employees have unique skills and perspectives that are underutilised and underappreciated in professional environments."

With the release of this guide ICTU’s Disability Committee hopes to “recognise the important role that people with disabilities, including neurodiverse people, play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for everyone.”

The launch event is open to all interested members.

To attend email Natalie Higgins at Natalie.higgins@ictu.ie

Location: Communications Workers’ Union, William Norton House, 575-577 North Circular Road, Dublin 1

Date/time: 3rd December 12 noon, followed by light lunch