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Disability and neurodiversity

Employee networks

Employee networks, also known as Employee Resources Groups (ERGs), help create inclusive environments and build a sense of community.

Benefits of employee networks include:

  • support, visibility and a voice for staff
  • opportunity for staff to contribute personal stories and experience into HR policy and practice
  • assist with raising awareness on DEI issues to the wider workforce

Le Chéile Network

The Le Chéile Network connects employees with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions and long‑term health conditions, and their allies.

Le Chéile is an Irish word meaning 'together'.

HSE staff share their thoughts on the new network (video)

Le Chéile Network wins national award

Le Chéile Network won the Outstanding Employee Resource Group category at the 2026 National Diversity and Inclusion Awards. The awards recognise organisations that show excellence in creating inclusive workplaces.

National Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2026 Report (Word, 960 KB, 2 pages)

Reasonable accommodations

Reasonable accommodations support staff with disabilities in the workplace. The information below includes guidance, staff stories and resources.

Guidance documents

HSE National Guideline on Reasonable Accommodation (Word, 490 KB, 1 page)

HSE Reasonable Accommodation Plan template (Word, 108 KB, 4 pages)

HSE Reasonable Accommodation process flowchart (Word, 790 KB, 1 page)

Staff stories

Cathy's story (video)

Aoife’s story (video)

Gráinne’s story (video)

Simone’s story (video)

Reasonable accommodations in the workplace (video)

Support and resources

Neurodiversity in the workplace (video)

Support neurodiversity in the workplace (video)

Deaf awareness in the workplace (video)

Communicating with deaf colleagues (video)

Le Cheile Network Lanyard Guidelines (Word, 65 KB, 2 pages)

National Guideline on Sharing Disability Status Information in the Workplace (Word, 180 KB, 21 pages)

Support for HSE staff affected by cancer

Guideline on Inclusive Communications in the Workplace - Disability

Campaigns and awareness raising

International Day of People with Disabilities and Le Chéile Network

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) took place on Tuesday 3 December 2024. On this day, we hope to raise awareness and understanding of disability, as well as promote the importance of an inclusive workplace culture.

Le Chéile Network is our staff network for employees with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions and long-term health conditions, and their allies.

The network provides:

  • a voice for staff with visible and invisible disabilities
  • a forum where staff can discuss workplace experiences
  • a resource on disability-related topics

Le Chéile is an Irish word meaning 'together'. For us, that means staff members across the HSE will work together to develop a more positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Display an IDPWD poster in your workplace (PDF, 265 KB, 1 page)

For information on the Le Chéile Network, email diversity.hr@hse.ie

International Day of People with Disabilities HSE webinar

International Day of People with Disabilities HSE webinar (video)
Listen to our expert panel discuss the importance of inclusive communications for disability in the workplace and supports available for staff.

For more information, email diversity.hr@hse.ie

2023 HSE Gradlink students support neurodiversity in the workplace

Our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion team collaborated with HSE Gradlink students to raise awareness about neurodiversity in the workplace.

Neurodiversity explains the unique ways people think, learn and interact with the world around them. About 15 to 20% of the population is estimated to be neurodiverse.

Support neurodiversity in the workplace (video)

For more information, email diversity.hr@hse.ie

International Day for People with Disabilities Campaign Report