We’re a proudly disabled-led crew, all volunteers and fuelled by lived experience. This isn’t a job it’s a mission. We’re here to shake things up, to build something that lasts, and to make sure disabled people aren’t just included, but leading the way. 

Through Expanding Horizons we bring together disabled voices, allies, and the wider community, centering lived experiences, tackling head-on the issues that are often ignored in mainstream conversations. 

Read here for more on Our Committee.

Amanda McGuinness is the Director of Autism Advocacy & Professional Practice at Flourish Autism Consultancy and Training, an Autistic Advocate, and an Autism & Visual Supports Specialist. She is also the founder of Little Puddins-Autism Support and Education. 

A Law graduate, she is currently completing a Master’s in Childhood Speech, Language and Communication Needs at the University of Galway, where she serves on the Programme Board for the undergraduate Speech and Language Therapy degree.

Amanda has held senior roles within the Autism sector, including serving as both a Board Member and the Prepare Me AsIAm Manager for AsIAm – Ireland’s National Autism Charity.

 In these capacities, she developed national Autism resources, professional training programmes, and strategic supports for Autistic individuals, their families, educators, and clinicians. 

Her professional collaborations extend to schools, healthcare providers, community organisations, and national bodies, and she delivers keynote presentations and Autism training both nationally and internationally.

 An external reviewer for an international Autism organisation, Amanda contributes to shaping global standards in inclusive and neuroaffirmative practice. She is widely recognised for her expertise in visual supports and identity-affirming approaches, underpinned by both lived and professional experience.

Fionn is one of the first people in Ireland with cognitive impairment (Down Syndrome) to manage his own supports. 

With help from his family, Fionn negotiated with the Irish Health Service and traditional service providers, contracted a support broker and formed limited company.

He Serves as Public Relations Officer for both the National Advisory Council of Down Syndrome Ireland and also the Inclusive Research Network.

He addressed the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation on Special Education and the Anthropological Association of Ireland on the theme of Formal and Informal Care.

Fionn has taught thousands of primary and secondary school students through placements as a Heritage in Schools Expert and Slingshot Academy Mentor; 

given dozens of guest lectures and conference presentations in colleges around Ireland and in seven other countries. 

He has presented to international groups including the International Intellectual Disability,  Leadership Forum in Dublin and the Claiming Full Citizenship Conference in Vancouver.

A dedicated advocate for disabled drivers, Pat combines his work in sales with running his family’s suckler farm in County Sligo. 

Paralysed from the waist down since his early 20s, he continues to farm, drive, and enjoy taking part in sport, including wheelchair hurling. 

Pat first connected with DDAI through Ability Enterprises in the 1990s and is still very involved with the Association in championing accessible driving and supporting members nationwide.