Ability West
For in excess of 64 years, Ability West Galway has continued to provide a wide range of disability support services to persons with intellectual and physical disabilities and autism. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person is supported and valued within an environment which promotes their overall autonomy, health and wellbeing and enables them to reach their potential. The organisation operates more than 70 services across Galway City and County.
School Patronage
Ability West is also proud to be patron of four special schools across Galway.
- St. Joseph's Special School, Galway City
- Tigh Nan Dooley, Carraroe
- St. Oliver's Special School, Tuam
- St. Teresa's Special School, Ballinasloe
More than 600 staff work with us helping us every day to achieve our mission.
We are committed to a programme of fundraising to provide additional funds for:
Enhancing children’s and adult respite services – giving families much-needed breaks and affording children joyful, safe spaces.
Building sensory gardens and providing sensory equipment – for adults and childrens’ services to provide calmness, creativity, and wellbeing.
Funding vital aids and sensory supports – empowering independence and inclusion.
Supporting specialist equipment needs and aids that improve the quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Our six guiding principles:
- Placing the fundamental rights of the people we support at the centre of our activities and promoting those rights
- Empowering each person we support to live self-directed lives and to play a meaningful role in all aspects of community life
- Listening and then developing a variety of options that can be used flexibly to meet their identified needs
- Developing the skills and dedication of our staff in a supportive and motivating environment
- Working in active partnership with the people we support, families, staff, our voluntary supporters and the broader community
- Campaigning at local, regional and national level to resource and realise our vision to achieve these aims
