Sinéad Burke Jack Kavanagh Vivian Rath Rosaleen McDonagh Mark Pollock Dr Patricia McCarthy social issues from a unique perspective: that of a Traveller feminist who happens to be disabled. Her book of essays, Unsettled , sheds light on her most unusual identity, earning her a place on the shortlist for the An Post Irish Book Award. Mark Pollock: From adventure to advocacy Mark’s life journey shifted dramatically after a fall that left him paralysed. From being an adventure athlete to a motivational speaker, he now leads research into spinal cord injury recovery. His TED Talk and ongoing speaking engagements speak of the evolution of technology in the recovery process as well as the centrality of hope and acceptance. Mark offers a beacon of hope for paralysis recovery. Dr Patricia McCarthy: Illuminating challenges Dr Patricia McCarthy’s academic journey culminated in her graduation from Trinity with a PhD analysing the educational experiences of vision-impaired/blind young people. Patricia’s influence has extended well beyond the college, as she continues to engage in guest lectures and take up advisory roles, advocating for inclusive education and practices. These exceptional individuals serve as the touchstones of the Trinity disAbility Hub. Their names and portraits adorn the main meeting rooms so that the collaborations that take place can take inspiration from their stories. By making disability and disabled narratives the central principle – rather than inserting a modicum of ‘accessibility’ into another space – the hub represents something of a paradigm shift in disability support, one which will send positive echoes out into society. Meanwhile, the inspirational leaders it evokes will encourage gifted people affected by disabilities to overcome their doubts and knock on the doors of College Green, while increasing the likelihood that those doors will open to them.
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