On Thursday 25 September, students from Higher Education Institutions across Ireland presented their innovative Universal Design projects at the annual Universal Design Grand Challenge Awards that took place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
The awards, an initiative of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, are proudly supported by Enterprise Ireland.
Prizes were awarded by judges in three categories: Built Environment, Products & Services and Digital-ICT. The audience also selected a winner of the People’s Choice Award and Dr Aoife Kelly presented the winner of the Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Award.
UDGC 2025 Winners
Built Environment
Amy Byrne from Technological University Dublin received the Built Environment Award for her project Flúirse, a Mental Health and Wellness Centre in Bettystown, Co. Meath. Rooted in Universal Design principles, Flúirse creates a serene, inclusive, and supportive environment through features like adaptable therapy rooms, a sensory garden, tactile signage, and wheelchair-friendly access.
Products & Services
Leah Shanahan from the School of Design, University of Limerick, won the award in the Product & Services category for her project AMY, a pregnancy test designed to be accessible to all through a three-senses approach, touch, sight, and sound. Currently, most pregnancy tests rely on faint visual cues, forcing users with vision impairments to depend on others to interpret results. AMY, designed in collaboration with blind and visually impaired women, empowers users to access this deeply personal moment independently.
Digital/ICT
The ICT Award went to Shannon Aisling Forde from Munster Technological University for Active Ease, a digital platform designed to help individuals with severe mental illness engage in physical activity independently. Co-designed through public and patient involvement, the platform incorporates visual guides, videos, voiceovers, and printable resources, making physical activity more accessible across devices including smartphones, tablets, desktops, and smart TVs.
Peoples Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award was also won be Leah Shanahan with her project AMY, making her a double winner on the night!
The Commercialisation Award
The Commercialisation Award went to AdjustOmy, created by Aoife Mitchell, Scott Couch, Glenn O’Sullivan, Natalia Melnicka and Simone Daranyi from Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin. Their first-of-its-kind tool integrates both measuring and cutting of ostomy bags into one simple, accessible device. With over 13.5 million ostomates worldwide, the design aims to transform a complex and physically demanding task into a more inclusive and independent experience.
Photo Gallery
