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ILMI VOICE Project

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Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Community Development Programme, our Virtual Online Inclusive Communities for Empowerment (VOICE) project works with disabled people in counties Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

ILMI’s VOICE Project is a community development project with the focus on bringing disabled people together in collective spaces. It is based on digital networking, peer mentoring support and activism with disabled people in the south of Ireland (CHO areas 4 and 5).
ILMI’s VOICE will bring disabled people online to find out the issues disabled people are facing, and then create policies and campaigns to make society more inclusive. Using the principles of Community Development, ILMI will offer training and support to identify where and how disabled people can influence systems, policies and services locally and nationally.

As a genuine Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) we recognise, first and foremost, that disabled people must have the equality of opportunity to become active members in their communities. Spaces need to be created and resourced to build a collective shared analysis and for representatives to be supported to bring collective voices to inform mainstream service provision and policy development.

VOICE will inform, mentor and support disabled people to build authentic local representative structures and build the capacity of local mainstream services to promote real inclusion of disabled people. VOICE will work with each participant to develop Personal Action Plans, identifying and developing goals through effectively accessing local mainstream services that reduce isolation while improving health and wellbeing.

Want to get involved and be a representative for disabled people in your county? Then get involved!

All training, support and discussion will be delivered online and will include training opportunities, guest speakers (including local, national and international disabled activists) and opportunities to connect with peers and local services. To find out more email:

For counties Kerry, Cork and Tipperary email Nicola Meacle

Email Nicola

For counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford email Paula Soraghan

Email Paula
Government Gov Department Of Rural And Social Development | ILMI - Independent Living Movement Ireland
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Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr

Community Development Worker

Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr joined ILMI in September 2024 as community development worker on the Disability Participation Awareness Fund (DPAF) funding project “Engaging Disabled People in Direct Provision” . He is a passionate advocate for disability rights, social inclusion, and development, with extensive experience in working to promote the rights and full participation of disabled people in Liberia. Boakai has served as a consultant on disability and social inclusion for numerous national and international agencies. He has also worked as a Research Assistant on multiple projects with organisations such as Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre at University College London, Talking Drum Studio, AIFO-Liberia, and UNMIL, ensuring that disabled people’s needs and perspectives are integrated into their programs.

As a disabled person, Boakai’s lived experience informs his leadership as Assistant Director for disabled people in Liberia. His role focuses on advocating for the inclusion of disabled people at all levels of society, promoting accessible development, and advancing the rights of the community. Boakai holds certifications in International Law and related fields and is a skilled Administrator and Assistive Technology Specialist, committed to using his expertise to create a more inclusive society for all.