IIn an era of rapid technological change, we stand at a critical crossroads. Technology races ahead like an unstoppable train, with most of us clutching our smartphones while a significant portion of our population remains stranded at the station — particularly people with disabilities.

Consider this: 1.1 million people in Ireland report a chronic condition or disability, 80,000 of whom access traditional day services.The old model of disability support is crumbling, and continuing to pour resources into outdated infrastructure is not just inefficient — it’s potentially harmful.

To keep doing what we have always done, will mean we will get what we always got: budgetary black holes in disability services, and a dependent population sitting on the margins. It will not help people to adapt to rapidly changing world, or protect them from it. Instead, it will guarantee that they are left behind when the next disruptive event comes along.

Virtual disability services represent more than just a technological solution; they are a pathway to genuine social inclusion. These online platforms offer something traditional services cannot: flexibility, accessibility, and most importantly, choice.

During the pandemic, we witnessed remarkable adaptability in providing virtual supports. Innovation in services led to the creation of safe spaces for people to meet and stay connected. Virtual supports were not only a lifeline, people thrived, expanded their worlds and learnt new skills. This wasn’t just a temporary fix, but a glimpse into a more inclusive future.

These services break down geographical barriers, provide specialist support, and crucially, give individuals with disabilities greater agency in their own lives.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) emphasises support that adapts to people’s lives, not the other way around.

Virtual services embody this principle perfectly. They’re not about replacing in-person services, but complementing them — creating a more robust, responsive support ecosystem. Moreover, these services offer resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world. Climate change, potential pandemics, and economic uncertainties demand flexible solutions. International research clearly points to a growing demand for virtual options: they can be a lifeline during disruptions, ensuring continuous support when physical access becomes challenging.

They have also become a source of employment for people with disabilities. This is something politicians must take note of, given Ireland’s poor performance in raising employment above a third of the disabled population, resulting in us having the lowest rate of employment of disabled people in Europe.

Investing in virtual disability services in Ireland’s next Programme for Government isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a strategic one. Ireland aims to digitalise 90% of public services by 2030 and achieve 80% digital literacy. Virtual disability services are key to reaching these ambitious targets.

We cannot afford to let the expertise developed during the pandemic fade away. By embracing virtual services, we’re not just supporting individuals with disabilities — we’re building a more inclusive, resilient society. It’s a win-win for the next government: an effective way to ensure that Ireland’s digital future, is a future for everyone.

Meeting real-world complexity calls for practices that support sense-making in real time. There are 8 key practices that support the creation of a safe virtual space. They include resourcing the space, boundary setting, developing online presence and being prepared to learn by growing wings on the way. Culitvating a “we-space”, where everyone matters and contributes to the whole, as well as enhancing conditions for a felt sense of psychological safety and agency, are also key. Being comfortable enough to take risks, but not too comfortable (!) also forms part of the balancing act in facilitation practice. Coming together online can be a meaningful experience, when humans are put before technology and we acknowledge the opportunities and limitations of meeting as pixilated people. To read more, see here:

O’Donnell, J., Desmond, D., & MacLachlan, M. (2024). Learning from innovative staff practices that led to virtual disability services using the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems. Disability & Society, 1-26.

Please email me if you cannot access this paper online.

Virtual disability services are a way for people to come together online, access supports and engage in peer support, social activities, information sessions and training. Just as hybrid working has become the norm in Irish society, virtual services complement in-person services and have some unique advantages: they are an efficient way to overcome geographical and transport barriers, and meet around specialist topics including health and well-being, which means they are more accessible to a wider group of people. This is important as there is a gap between the 1.1 million people report having a chronic condition or disability, and 80,000 people who access services and just 9,000 availing of HSE-funded services. Virtual community supports have the potential to enhance the wellbeing for many more people whose health and well-being could be sustained with a ‘light touch’ digital approach. It could also guard against the crisis of loneliness and isolation, now epidemic in Irish society [1].

Digital inclusion is key to social inclusion in a fast-changing world[2]. Ireland has been a leader in the innovation of virtual disability services[3] as well as employing people with disabilities to run services[4]. Rapid innovation of online disability supports during the pandemic, proved how adaptable we can be, and this spirit is in keeping with our standing as one of the more digitalised countries in Europe[5]. We need to sustain momentum and ensure that people with disabilities are part of Ireland’s long-term success. We have ambitious targets for all households to have internet access, reach 80% digital literacy amongst adults and digitalise 90% of public services by 2030[6]. Research also suggests demand for virtual services is increasing rapidly[7], and have a ripple effect, enhancing digital literacy amongst staff and family members[8], making investment in virtual services key to achieving these targets.

This calls for investment in the Programme for Government to ensure that expertise built up during the pandemic is not lost, which is sure to lead to the social exclusion of a sizeable proportion of our population.

We need to do so for three reasons:

1.   Virtual services open up new worlds for people with disabilities and enhances well-being

Virtual services offer a space for people to come together, be themselves, feel connected and enjoy a sense of belonging[9] They provide a space for the kind of connections that sustained many people during the pandemic, fending off loneliness and isolation, as much as being a place that opens a door to learn new skills and explore new possibilities.

2.   Virtual services are key to the implementation of the UNCRPD

Virtual services are pivotal in transforming supports into a shape and size that fits people’s lives, rather than expecting people to fit into services. It gives people greater choice and this is important for implementing the UNCRPD which emphasises the need to ensure supports are led by people with disabilities. It also enhances agency to make more active life choices.

3.   Virtual services offer some protection against growing concerns around climate change and long term budgetary uncertainty

Virtual services are an efficient and effective way to sustain contact, in the midst of societal disruption. They are an essential future-proofing tool that offers a sustainable option in an uncertain world. Ideally they act as a complement to other services, but they also need to be considered as an emergency backup option, either for someone when they might be too unwell, or cannot afford to travel, or during wider disruptions such as flooding and pandemics.

[1] O’Sullivan, R., Burns, A., Leavey, G., Leroi, I., Burholt, V., Lubben, J., ... & Prohaska, T. R. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation: A multi-country study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(19), 9982.

[2] Chadwick, D (2023) Digital Inclusion and people with learning disabilities, Editorial, British Journal of Learning Disabilities ,1-6.

[3] O’Donnell, J., Desmond, D., & MacLachlan, M. (2024). Learning from innovative staff practices that led to virtual disability services using the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems. Disability & Society, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2024.2411528

[4] Schmidt-Abbey, B & O’Donnell, J. (2024) The Digital Arc: Developmental Evaluation of Virtual Servies in Enable Ireland, Enable Ireland.

[5] Fortune, J., Manikandan, M., Harrington, S. et al. Understanding the use of digital technologies to provide disability services remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic; a multiple case study design. BMC Health Serv Res24, 323 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10652-6

[6]https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/214584/fa3161da-aa9d-4b11-b160-9cac3a6f6148.pdf#page=null

[7] O’Donnell, J (2024) Safe Virtual Spaces: taking a practice turn in psychological safety, towards systemically viable and sustainable disability services, Unpublished PhD, Psychology Department,  Maynooth University, Ireland.

[8] Ibid (7)

[9] Ibid 1,3,4,5,7