Breaking employment barriers in Louth for graduates with disabilities

In an effort to break some of the employment barriers faced by people with disabilities, Louth County Council has teamed up with AHEAD, a non-profit organisation working with and for disabled people to shape inclusive and empowering environments in tertiary education and employment, to offer employment for graduates with disabilities within the region.

According to Census data 2022, 22% of the Irish population reported having a disability, while the disability population in Louth at 22% is consistent with the national statistic. People with  disabilities continue to face barriers to employment, access to crucial services and education.

A report from IBEC has shown that a person with a disability is just over half as likely to be employed as a non-disabled peer, with Ireland’s rate of employment amongst people with  disabilities half the European average, while the gap in employment between people with  disabilities and people without is the second widest in Europe.  

This gap is concerning both nationally and locally. This year, Louth County Council has teamed up with AHEAD to offer employment for graduates with disabilities within the region. AHEAD, established in 1988, is dedicated to advancing the rights and opportunities for people with  disabilities through inclusive education, employment programs, and advocacy efforts.

AHEAD’s Willing Able Mentoring Programme (WAM), partners with leading employers across the island to offer paid graduate-level job opportunities exclusively for people with disabilities. WAM has supported over 700 disabled graduates into full-time work placements since 2005. This initiative is particularly significant for Louth and would support the disability sector within the county.  

Dara Ryder, CEO of AHEAD, adds: "Often, graduates with disabilities need some supports to  show their talents at interview or in the workplace, but because of past negative experiences, many fear telling employers about their disabilities. The WAM Programme offers graduates a  safe space to disclose their needs and apply for jobs with employers who are actively seeking a more diverse workforce and offers employers access to top talent and a supportive structure to  learn about barriers in their recruitment processes."  

In 2025, WAM is partnering with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and several local authorities across Ireland to recruit graduates with disabilities (minimum NFQ Level 6 qualification) for a range of roles across the country. Nationally the positions span various sectors, such as HR, Climate and Environment, Library Services, Customer Service, and  Communications. 

After a competitive application process, successful applicants are invited to a needs assessment with the WAM team to discuss any support they may need to carry out their new position, they are also paired with a mentor, receive pre-placement training, and benefit from ongoing support from the WAM team to ensure placements run smoothly. 81% of WAM graduates gain  employment as a direct result of partaking in the WAM programme demonstrating the critical role of disability-inclusive employers and peers.  

Jane Brophy, at the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), highlights the importance of this partnership: "Equality, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the local government  sector. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with the WAM programme and expand opportunities for disabled graduates. This partnership reflects our commitment to building a  more inclusive society and embodying the diversity within the communities we serve."  

People with disabilities interested in working with Louth County Council should register now on the WAMWorks database to apply for roles through the WAM programme and receive updates  on new work opportunities in your area. For more information on AHEAD and the WAM Programme, visit www.ahead.ie/wam.