Event Details
Date and time: 11 March 2026, 2:00pm to 3:30pm (Dublin time)
Format: online information seminar
Platform: Zoom
Speakers:
- Aislinn Conway, Senior Standards and Monitoring Officer, Web Accessibility Directive, National Disability Authority
- Caitlin Cruise, Training & Accreditation Manager with AsIAm
- Izzy Tiernan, student studying Human Rights and current Disability Rights Officer for University of Galway
- Dr Deirdre McHugh, Universal Design Manager and Access Officer at the University of Galway.
The needs of autistic people are an integral part of the design of the built environment, products, services, information and information communication technologies.
This session will increase awareness and provide examples of challenges that autistic people face when online, as well as discussing potential facilitators to optimise their online experience. The aim is to encourage thinking about how to incorporate the needs of autistic people and other people with disabilities in the design and content of online information and services to support them in an effective, respectful and inclusive manner. The session will focus on lived experience and will explore how one higher education institution is taking a universal design approach to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities.
This session has been co-designed with autistic people and is aimed at employees of government departments and public sector bodies. We also welcome attendance from persons with disabilities (PWDs), disabled persons organisations (DPOs), private sector organisations, and anyone with an interest in digital accessibility.
Registration is free and the event will be recorded. By registering for the event you are consenting to being recorded. Register via Zoom . There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. Details for accessing the event will be sent in advance to those who have registered. Irish Sign Language interpretation and optional captions will be provided.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at webaccessmonitor@nda.ie or by phone at (01) 6080400.
Speaker bios
Aislinn Conway, National Disability Authority
Aislinn Conway is Senior Standards & Monitoring Officer for the EU Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) and is based at the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority (NDA). The NDA is the independent statutory body, which provides evidence-based advice and research to Government on disability policy and practice and promotes Universal Design. The NDA is named in Irish Regulations as the National Monitoring Body for the purposes of monitoring compliance with and reporting on the WAD.
She has a background as a knowledge translation specialist, health services researcher and information specialist. Her professional interests include: dissemination and implementation (practice and science), promoting evidence-informed policy and practice, disability issues, information literacy and continuous improvement.
Caitlin Cruise, AsIAm
Caitlin Cruise is the Training & Accreditation Manager with AsIAm, a qualified Early Years Educator and is Autistic herself. Caitlin delivers talks nationally about Autism, Neurodiversity and Disability, while contributing her own experiences as an Autistic adult & growing up Autistic in Ireland. She has worked in supporting Autistic young people directly in Early Years & Teenage Years. Caitlin has a passion for supporting members of the Autistic Community and helping non-Autistic people understand the Autistic Mind”
Izzy Tiernan, University of Galway
Izzy Tiernan (they/them) draws their passion for accessibility and disability rights from several perspectives; their lived experience as an autistic person, a college student studying Human Rights and current Disability Rights Officer for University of Galway Students Union. They have previously worked on the organising committee as Student Engagement Rep for European Access Network Conference 2025 and have chaired panel discussions for AHEAD 2025 and the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at EAN 25’. They centre their advocacy around opportunity for all and imbedding Universal Design in every aspect of education, infrastructure and society.
Dr Deirdre Mc Hugh, University of Galway
Deirdre McHugh is the Universal Design Manager and Access Officer at the University of Galway and is based in the Office of the Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Her recent work on Universal Design (UD) of the built environment, her background in educational development, and over a decade of experience as a university teacher, give her key insights into how accessibility barriers can impact learning.
Collaboration is central to Deirdre’s work, and she has worked with colleagues and students across units and functions in her home institution on a range of projects to improve accessibility and embed UD, and on national projects, including the development of the ALTITUDE Charter for UD in Tertiary Education. Her work is informed by the lived experience of students, colleagues and members of the public who experience barriers to accessibility and inclusion. She has presented her work at international conferences, including UD2024 and the European Access Network (EAN) Conference 2024. She was the conference lead on the EAN 2025 Conference, hosted by University of Galway in June 2025, in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, part of the National Disability Authority, and they will continue this partnership to co-host the 8th International Biennial Conference in Universal Design, UD26 in November 2026.
