Research
The role of research in Enable Ireland is to explore and broaden our understanding and knowledge, and to communicate this enhanced knowledge to service users, staff and other stakeholders.
All research proposals must be submitted to the Enable Ireland Research Ethics and Quality Committee (REQC) for approval. In line with Enable Irelands Operational Plan 2009-2011 the aim of the Enable Ireland REQC is to ensure that all research proposed within, or on behalf of, Enable Ireland is conducted in a robust and ethical manner.
The Enable Ireland REQC panel comprises of 13 representatives including an Enable Ireland Service User, various clinical disciplines, Enable Ireland management and external expertise from academic institutions including University College Cork, University of Limerick and Dublin Institute of Technology.
For further information please see
If you are looking for papers on completed research, publications are available to download here.
How to apply to the Enable Ireland REQC
If you wish to carry out research regarding Enable Ireland please click on the links below:
(1) Procedures for Submitting an Application to the Enable Ireland REQC
(2) REQC Application Form
(3) REQC Declaration & Signatory Form
For further information please contact Kate Kearney, REQC Co-ordinator by email kkearney@enableireland.ie or phone 021-4290434
Current Research Projects
Current research initiatives include public health and clinical projects. Many of our research publications are available to download here.
From a public health perspective, the ongoing work includes participation in the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) and SPARCLE networks.
The development of participatory research methods for the design of customisable assistive technology (AT).
The high cost of niche market AT products can hinder access for many individuals with disabilities. Even when the cost barrier is overcome, between 30-80% of all AT is abandoned due to difficulties experienced when using the technology, device failure, poor aesthetics and changing user needs.
Involving various professional stakeholders, as well as a sample of service-users, in the design process of customisable AT aims to reduce these problems. Two adaptable methods have been developed to involve the two groups and are currently being implemented for the generation of design specification data for a new computer input device.
This current research is part of PHD programme being undertaken within the Dublin Institute of Technology in partnership with Enable Ireland.
For further information see www.dit.ie
Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE)
SCPE was set up in 1998 as a collaborative network of cerebral palsy registers and surveys in 14 centres in 8 countries across Europe. Enable Ireland is a member of the SCPE and we manage the Southern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register (SICPR).
As well as conducting public health and epidemiological research on people with impairments such as cerebral palsy, SCPE has developed a standardised method of diagnosing cerebral palsy, classifying clinical subtypes and classifying distribution and severity of motor and other associated impairments.
SPARCLE – The study of participation of children with cerebral palsy living in Europe
The first SPARCLE project began in October 2002 and continued until December 2006, and looked into the influence of environmental factors on the participation and quality of life of 8-12 year old children with cerebral palsy in 6 EU countries. It was funded by the EU Research Framework 5 Programme and the results were published in March 2008.
Click here to view the SPARCLE results.
The SPARCLE study group is currently preparing the protocol for SPARCLE 2, a longitudinal study following the original cohort of 8-12 year old children into adolescence.
Posture & Movement Assessment Clinic
From a clinical research perspective, a Posture & Movement Assessment Clinic (PMAC) has been developed to fulfil clinical, research and educational functions. The PMAC is a secondary level assessment clinic to support the primary interdisciplinary teams in Enable Ireland Cork & Kerry Services. All children with cerebral palsy are assessed annually with the primary physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
European Projects
UEmploy- Consultancy for Employment Inclusion
Enable Ireland is currently involved in a European funded project entitled UEmploy.
Despite progress made by the EU over the past decade towards inclusive employment, employment rates for disabled citizens in most European countries remain very low. People with disabilities frequently still find themselves excluded from work and therefore unable to support their independent living or have meaningful contribution to the community.
UEmploy is a two year project funded by the Lifelong Learning Programme- Leonardo da Vinci fund. The project aims to address the lack of common standardised schemes in the context of European employment.
Enable Ireland is part of an expert consortium that includes organisations from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland.
The consortium intends to develop, test and introduce a consultancy model to promote effective employment of people with disabilities. The aim of the anticipated model is to provide a range of services and solutions supporting both people with disabilities and employers.
The path toward achieving this aim includes a number of activities, such as national and European studies, development of consultancy tools, training of consultants and testing the designed schemes of consultancy process this will take place over a two year period.
For more information on UEmploy please contact: Kate Kearney kkearney@enableireland.ie or telephone 0214290434
Read the first UEmploy Newsletter here and subscribe to recieve further information
