Empowerment Summit 2026
Unlocking the Present for the Future
Our biennial conference brings together leading voices in disability advocacy, travel, technology, sport, and fitness to inspire progress and empower everyone living with a spinal cord injury.
Join us for an uplifting, in‑person experience designed to strengthen confidence, build community, and spark new possibilities.
Welcome to the Empowerment Summit 2026!
We’re excited to be back for another transformative year. The Empowerment Summit is a chance to:
- Connect with peers
- Share lived experiences
- Hear from experts and innovators
- Explore tools and ideas that support independence and wellbeing
Event Schedule
Exhibition Space – 9:30am – 5:00pm
Start your day by checking in, grabbing a tea or coffee, and discovering our vibrant exhibition hall. Meet service providers, innovators, and organisations offering resources and support.
The exhibition hall will remain open for one hour after the Summit, giving you extra time to browse and connect.
Empowerment Summit- 10:30am – 4:00pm (including lunch break)
Morning Session
09.30 | Registration, tea and coffee – Exhibition Hall & Networking
10.30 | Opening of the Summit – MCs Jenny Needham & Ciaran Pollard with Natasha Creenan, Coloplast
10.45 | Pete Reed – Coloplast Keynote Speaker
11.15 | Q&A with Pete Reed
11.30 | Exercise break with Barry Moore (Vitality Neuro Rehabilitation)
11.45 | Accessible Travel: Ireland, Europe & Beyond hosted by travel journalist Eoghan Corry Panellists: Ben Kirby (CEO Enable Holidays), Philip Quinlan, Jonathan Ranson, Jack Kavanagh, Jennifer Hester, Eoghan Gorman, Ciaran Pollard
12.30 | US Challenge – Fergus Farrell
12.45 | Lunch & Raffle – Exhibition Hall & Networking
Afternoon Session
14.00 | Intro to afternoon session MCs Jenny Needham & Ciaran Pollard
14.15 | Jessie Owen: The Long Middle: Life unfolding without a finish line
14.45 | ONWARD Medical Presentation on ARC-EX with Miro Caban followed by Q&A
15.15 | Exercise break with Barry Moore (Vitality Neuro Rehabilitation)
15.30 | OT hacks to make life easier (based on a SU survey)
16.00 | Exhibition Hall & Networking
17.00 | Finish
What to expect on the day?
- Coffee and tea upon arrival
- Multiple fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms (equipped with a ceiling hoist)
- Wide open spaces to explore our Exhibitor Hal
Registration
€10 Registration Fee Includes:
- Wheelchair accessible parking
- A complimentary lunch included with registration
- Automatic entry into our Empowerment Summit 2026 Raffle
- And most importantly, a Goodie Bag on the day!
If a carer or companion needs to attend with a service user, they are included in the same registration fee. Please indicate this during registration so arrangements can be made.
Buy Tickets Now
Secure your place at the Empowerment Summit 2026 through Eventbrite:
If you need any assistance with your booking, please email [email protected].
