Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find online aids and appliances?

The contacts below are listed for information purposes only. This should not be construed as a recommendation.

• www.homecraft-rolyan.com
• www.rolli.ie
• www.comfigear.ie
• www.disabilityneeds.com
• www.opm.ie
• www.aemobility.com

Where can I find more information about the accessibility of venues in Dublin?

DisabledGo provides free detailed access information for disabled people across the UK and Ireland:
www.disabledgo.info

SmallerWorld is a site dedicated to the review of wheelchair accessible services and locations:
www.smallerworld.ie

Where do I go to find out more about toll road exmptions for disabled drivers?

All disabled drivers and passengers in the VRT/VAT scheme are exempt from toll charges on all toll roads in the state.

Click here to find out more about Toll Bridge Exemptions

I want to go on holiday in Ireland - where can I find out about accessible accommodation?

Fáilte Ireland has developed a new scheme for the validation and provision of information on registered and approved accommodation that provides for those with disabilities, www.discoverireland.ie/Where-To-Stay/Accessible-Accommodation. There are four categories of accessibility explained on the website as well as contact details for all listed accessible accommodation.

The IWA Information centre also has a list of holiday accommodation that has been recommended by members.
Click here to see contact details for IWA Information Centre

Can young people volunteer with the IWA?

Young people can apply to become registered volunteers from the age of 16 years.

Click here to fill in the form and we will be in touch to start the process.

Volunteers do a lot of different jobs in IWA so check it out to find out if there is something that interests you. Click here to read some testimonials from our volunteers.

How do I join the IWA Youth Service?

IWA has youth activities across the country so you can click here to send us a request for more info.

You can also click here to find contact details to your nearest centre and they will be able to give you information on what the services they provide.

We have a list of youth activities across the country so click here to find info on what is going on in your area.

How do I get my own place?

People with disabilities often have very specific housing and accommodation requirements. There are a variety of options available to meet each individual’s circumstances.

To learn more about the options available to you, including the direct provision of housing, housing information or advice on housing services and supports, please click here to go to the IWA Housing Microsite.

You can also get in touch with your nearest IWA Centre and they will be able to support you to find answers to questions. Click here to find your nearest centre.

How do I get a Personal Assistant?

There are a number of options open to someone who wish to have a Personal Assistant:

1. You can apply to there local HSE for a Personal Assistant- This service is funded by the HSE and may be provide by the IWA or it may be provide by some other organisation that the HSE choose.
2. If you are attending or planning to attend college or university you can apply for a Personal Assistant who will assist you to access and participate in your choose course. This service is funded by the Dept of Education and applications should be made to the Disability Access Officer in the College or University that the course is to be delivered in.
3. Or you can purchase Personal Assistant Services privately from the IWA or from other private companies.

The Application process for a Personal Assistant is different in each area and also depends on who will ultimately fund the service.

You can click here to find contact details to your nearest IWA Office with an Assisted Living Service Coordinator and they will be able to give you information on what the services the IWA can provide and how to you can apply for the Personal Assistant Service you want.

How do I learn to Drive?

IWA offers a range of Motoring services that support people in gaining increased independence and mobility. Advances in technology and design have supported changes to open up access to transport for disabled drivers and passengers.

Click here to find out how IWA support people to start the process of getting a driving license.

What are IWA Angels?

Angels are cute and colourful badges that IWA sell to help raise funds for people with disabilities in Ireland. Last year saw the introduction of our Angel pencil which is now also available. You can see some of our angel pins on the right-hand-side of this page but to see more click here.

What services will benefit from our Angel Campaign?

IWA has services in every county in Ireland and when you support our Angel Campaign you will be supporting our services in your local community. These services include Assisted Living, Resource and Outreach Centres, Independent Living accommodation, Motoring Advice Assessment & Tuition, Holiday Centres, Sports, Training & Education, Advocacy and Youth Services.

How can I help?

You can help in many ways.

Distribute and sell angels to your friends and family, bring a box of Angels to work and sell them to your colleagues, talk to your local supermarket, pub or hairdressers and ask angelically if they will kindly sell a box for you, bring some to school or get your teacher to arrange your class to sell angels or host a special angel event. To find out more about how you can help, visit our get involved page.

Where can I buy angels?

Angels will be available nationwide and you can contact your local IWA Centre to purchase any angel products or fill out our Enquiry Form and our Angel Team will be in contact with you.

I have an idea for an Angel event, where do I go now?

If you would like to host an angel event on behalf of IWA please call 01 818 6418 or click here to fill out our Enquiry Form and our Angel Team will contact you.

How do I get a Primary Medical Certificate?

In order to get a Primary Medical Cert, you will need to apply through your local Health Board office for an assessment with a Senior Area Medical Officer in the Health Board. Your own GP or consultant cannot carry out the assessment.

What do I do, when I get the Primary Medical Certificate?

On receipt of the certificate, you will need to fill in a form called a DD1 form and enclose with the Primary Medical Certificate to the Revenue Commissioners, Disabled Drivers Section, Freepost, Coolshanagh, Co Monaghan. The DDI form is available from the Revenue Commissioners, phone 1890 60 60 61. It can also be downloaded from www.revenue.ie.

On processing this application, the Revenue Commissioners will issue you with a Letter of Authorisation to allow you to register your vehicle without VRT. Most people, then give the letter of Authorisation to their garage, who will then register the vehicle and organise the VAT refund.

If a Primary Medical Cert is refused, can the decision be appealed?

Where the issue of a Primary Medical Certificate is refused, the applicant may appeal this refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. This is an independent Board whose decision is final. Appeals should normally be made within 28 days of refusal. Where the Board considers that the person concerned meets the criteria it will issue the required certificate. It is of course open to a person to re-apply for a Primary Medical Certificate should a change occur in his/her medical condition to the extent that the medical criteria might now be met.

What type of adaptations do I need to get in a vehicle?

If you are a passenger, the cost of your adaptations must amount to 10 per cent of the cost of the vehicle less VAT/VRT. If you are a driver, there is no price basis for your adaptation, however you must have some type of adaptation fitted, an automatic transmission car is not regarded as an adaptation. Examples of adaptations that are acceptable are hand controls, infra red devices and steering knobs.

I see that Cluid (or any other housing association) is building houses beside me. I would love one of them. How do I go about it?

The housing association takes nominations from the local Council. Register with your local authority and indicate your interest in the particular housing association. Your name will be forwarded by the local authority and the application process will proceed from there.

I met a local councillor last night and I was complaining about the lack of housing for people with disabilities. He said that there was no need for housing for people with disabilities. This is not true; loads of my friends have disabilities and need housing! How can we let them know that we need housing?

The best way to indicate your housing need is to put your name on the housing list by registering with your local Council. When local authorities are assessing housing needs, one of the resources they use is the local authority housing list. As far as they are concerned if you are not on the list your need doesn’t exist!

I am building a new house and was just wondering if there are any grants available? I am paraplegic and full time wheelchair user.

The grant you should check out with your local Council, Housing Grants Department, is the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with Disabilities. For a new house the maximum grant payable is €10,000.00. The grant is means test, if the household income is above €30,000.00 the grant begins to be paid on a sliding scale. At an income of or above €60,000.00 then no grant is paid. Phone the local Council to enquire and confirm these details.