Students showcase UD excellence in Galway
On Tuesday 3 November, students from Higher Education Institutions across Ireland presented their projects at the annual Universal Design Student Awards 2026, held at the Bailey Allen Hall, University of Galway.
The awards, an initiative of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, celebrate excellence in Universal Design and recognise student projects that demonstrate a Universal Design approach.
The student experience at UD26 Conference
This year's awards formed part of UD26, the international Universal Design conference hosted in Galway from 4 to 6 November. Delegates attending the conference were invited to attend the Student Awards ceremony, and an exhibition of the award-winning projects was showcased throughout the conference programme.
UD Student Award Winners 2026
Visit the gallery of student projects
Built Environment
Jack Barry from Munster Technological University (Interior Architecture) received the Built Environment Award for his project Bandon Food Exchange - A Food and Culture Space for Bandon.
The Bandon Food Exchange transforms the former Allman's Whisky Distillery grain store into an inclusive food and cultural hub for West Cork. Guided by Universal Design principles, the project demonstrates how heritage-led regeneration can create welcoming, accessible spaces that serve the whole community.
Products & Services
Ciara Hogan from TU Dublin (Product Design) won the Products & Services Award for Pebble - The Reading Assistant.
Pebble is an inclusive reading assistant that helps children with dyslexia and dyspraxia access text through a simple pointing interaction. By removing the motor demands of traditional reading pens, it supports more independent, confident and enjoyable reading.
Digital & Communications
The Digital Award went to Omid Nejadnik from Trinity College Dublin (Innovation and Enterprise Development) for TextVerser.
This browser extension empowers users to personalise and structure digital text in ways that support their individual reading needs. By reducing cognitive load and enhancing visual clarity, it helps make online content more accessible, manageable and engaging.
People's Choice Award
The People's Choice Award, voted for online by members of the public, was awarded to Caroline Dunne, Ella Kavanagh and Molly Quinn from Trinity College Dublin (Biomedical Engineering) for their project Siling.
This redesigned mid-urethral sling offers a safer, more inclusive treatment for stress urinary incontinence, addressing the shortcomings of traditional mesh implants. Guided by Universal Design principles, it reduces risk for patients while supporting safe, intuitive use for surgeons.
Commercialisation Award
The Commercialisation Award, supported by Enterprise Ireland, was presented to Cian Duffy from Maynooth University (Product Design & Innovation) for BrightScan.
Designed for users of all ages and technical backgrounds, BrightScan removes the barriers to understanding and assessing lighting quality. Its intuitive interface and accessible design make it easier for people to identify, measure and communicate lighting issues that affect comfort, safety and wellbeing.
Grand Prix Award
The overall Grand Prix Award was awarded to Ciara Hogan from TU Dublin for Pebble - The Reading Assistant.
Selected from the three category winners, the Grand Prix Award recognises the project that best demonstrates innovation, excellence and the application of Universal Design principles. Pebble impressed the judging panel with its thoughtful response to the needs of children with dyslexia and dyspraxia, enabling more independent and enjoyable reading experiences.
Universal Design Student Co-Lab
Running alongside the Universal Design Student Awards and UD26, the Universal Design Student Co-Lab brought together students from diverse disciplines, backgrounds and experiences to collaborate on a real-world design challenge. Through workshops, teamwork and mentorship, participants applied Universal Design principles to develop inclusive solutions, which they presented at the international conference.
Congratulations & Appreciations
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design congratulates all finalists and winners and thanks the students, academic staff, judges, conference delegates and event partners who contributed to the success of this year's awards.
A special thank you goes out to our hosts at the University of Galway who were also our guest speakers on the night, sharing the details of the student Co-lab initiative that would integrate the award finalists with students from the University for the duration of the UD26 conference.
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