Empowering Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Donegal.
At No Barriers, we believe that every person should have the opportunity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, shaped by their own choices and aspirations.
Guided by the principles of New Directions and driven by a strong commitment to person-centred planning, we support adults with intellectual disabilities to lead empowered, independent lives within their local communities.
Who We Support:
We provide tailored, respectful and inclusive support to school leavers aged 18+ who have a diagnosis of intellectual disability and/or autism, and/or additional support needs. Our approach is flexible and responsive, ensuring that each person’s unique strengths and goals remain at the centre of their journey
Who We Do:
No Barriers offers a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where each person’s strengths, interests and goals are our focus. We tailor our service to meet the unique needs of every individual.
Our supports include:
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Life skills development (e.g., cooking, budgeting, social skills, travel training)
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Community involvement and volunteering
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Creative arts and wellness activities
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Training and education opportunities
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Support with employment and work experience
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Social and recreational outings
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One-to-one key working and goal setting
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Health and Wellbeing Initiatives
Person-Centred Planning
No Barriers believes that people thrive when they are seen, heard and supported to take the lead in their own journey. Whether it’s learning a new skill, building relationships or becoming more involved in the community, our planning process empowers each person to shape their own future.
PCP Process
- Develop personalised goals that reflect each individual’s dreams and interests
- Celebrate progress and adapt plans as needs evolve
- Involve families, advocates and other supports (where appropriate) in meaningful ways
- Ensure that each person’s voice is central in all decisions that affect their life
Person-centred planning is at the core of our service.
We support each individual to explore what truly matters to them — both what is important to them and for them. Together, we take the time to understand their goals, preferences, strengths and support needs. From there, we design tailored supports that reflect and build on each individuals unique qualities
New Directions
Our approach is guided by New Directions: Personal Support Services for Adults with Disabilities, a national framework that champions inclusion, independence and active participation in the community.
Our focus areas include:
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Promoting individual choice and control
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Encouraging active citizenship
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Supporting inclusion in everyday community life
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Providing personalised supports that lead to meaningful outcomes
Referrals
To access our service, individuals must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Has a primary diagnosis of a moderate to high complex intellectual disability or be on the autism spectrum
- Open to participating in a service guided by New Directions principles, with a focus on personal strengths, capabilities, and independence.
Referrals to No Barriers are made through HSE Guidance Officers. Once a referral is received, we arrange an initial meeting which may include school or home visits to explore the individual's interests, needs and suitability for the service.
This introduction phase often involves several meetings and site visits to allow the young person and their family to get a real sense of our environment and the supports we offer. These visits help ensure the service is a good fit and give families the opportunity to ask questions and share hopes for the future.
Contact us
Our day service is proudly funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), enabling us to deliver high-quality, person-centred support that aligns with national standards and best practices
