Name of practice: DigiCoach: Building Capacity for Person-Centered Digital Inclusion

Organisation: St. John of God Liffey Services

Country: Ireland

Description of the organisation: St. John of God Liffey Services is a rights-based disability service provider (NGO) in Ireland supporting adults with intellectual disabilities to live lives that reflect their will and preferences. The organisation delivers community-based residential, day, and outreach supports focused on inclusion, communication, self-determination, and participation. Liffey Services has a strong commitment to innovation, co-design, inclusion, working with disabled person-led projects, academic partners, and technology providers to advance person-centred practice aligned with the UN CRPD. The organisation has 3,000 staff members and volunteers supporting 8,000 children and adults annually.

Description of practice: 

DigiCoach began within SJOG and atempo services to introduce digital tools and assistive technology as part of Erasmus + SAID Project. It has now scaled to peer-led coaching within disability services, where people with lived experience are hired as DigiCoaches to share practical knowledge. This approach proved more effective than traditional training and was expanded through a partnership with Fighting Blindness to include expertise in vision technology and inclusive design. The model is now scaling across the sector with partners including Enable Ireland, Muiríosa Foundation, Brothers of Charity, and Rehab Services.

The programme supports adults with disabilities – including those with low literacy or complex needs – as well as staff, managers, families, and local community groups. By positioning people with lived experience as change agents, DigiCoach embeds digital accessibility knowledge internally rather than relying on external consultants. This shifts digital inclusion from a technical task to a human rights and workforce development strategy.

This internal network of coaches creates a scalable support structure that adapts to changing technologies and staff turnover. The model improves staff confidence and competence in using accessible tools like easy-read materials and speech-to-text systems. This results in more consistent communication, reduced duplication of work, and more meaningful participation for the people supported.

Scalability & transferability: 

DigiCoach is designed for long-term sustainability by being embedded within workforce development, induction, and continuous professional development structures. The peer-led coaching model builds internal expertise, which reduces reliance on external consultants and enables services to respond flexibly to staff turnover and new technologies. Funding is supported through a combination of project grants, partnerships, and organisational investment.

The model is highly transferable across disability services and national contexts due to its modular design. It uses adaptable training materials and delivery methods that can be tailored to organisations of different sizes and regulatory environments. Its pan-disability approach makes it suitable for replication across diverse services seeking to strengthen digital inclusion and person-centred practice.

Contact Information: 

Sarah Boland, Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology Coordinator