Dublin City appoints its first ever Disability Ambassador

Dublin City Council is proud to announce the appointment of its first-ever Disability Ambassador.

In a landmark move towards more inclusive entrepreneurship, the Council’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO) will be working with Seán Fay, founder of Whole Village Hiring (#WholeVillageHiring™).

Sean’s appointment reinforces LEO Dublin City’s dedication to accessibility, diversity and inclusive entrepreneurship. Alongside Dublin City Council, LEO Dublin City aims to break down barriers, create more opportunities for disabled entrepreneurs and make Dublin City a truly inclusive one.

Greg Swift, Head of Enterprise LEO Dublin City said, “Dublin is a city of innovation, ambition and opportunity. We at the Local Enterprise Office, want to ensure that disabled entrepreneurs receive the same access to funding, mentorship and development opportunities as other business owners. Seán, as our Disability Ambassador will enable us to reach a broader, more diverse range of people, who will actively shape the business landscape of Dublin.”

Seán Fay's appointment as Disability Ambassador comes at a crucial time- Ireland currently has the lowest level of disability employment in the EU27, with an employment rate of just 32.6% – almost 20% below the EU average. LEO Dublin City in collaboration with Dublin City Council recognises the importance of inclusion and visibility in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Seán is a pioneering entrepreneur whose mission is to encourage more individuals with disabilities to explore entrepreneurship and avail of LEO support to help them succeed. He hopes his role will inspire others to harness their unique perspectives and skills to drive meaningful change in the entrepreneurial landscape.

"Hopefully, more people with any type of disability will think about using their difference to make a difference. There is too much focus on the structure of a company, whether it's 'not for profit' or otherwise. A better yardstick is the impact you make- what dent can you put in the universe, and what did you achieve in the dash between your dates," said Seán.

LEO Dublin City and Dublin City Council are committed to building a more inclusive and accessible business environment, where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed. We encourage all aspiring entrepreneurs to reach out and turn their vision into reality.

The Local Enterprise Office Dublin City are currently seeking a female entrepreneur who is a Person with Disabilities (Visible or Invisible/Hidden) to act as a second Disability Ambassador. Please get in touch if you are interested in making a difference.