Friends of ABLE
Mission Statement
Working with people with disabilities
Friends of ABLE strives to promote the abilities, which in the past have been left silent. ABLe demonstrates that
if one achieves their full potential, this will in turn ensure equal opportunities and full participation
in all aspects of the lives for other people with disabilities. Friends of ABLE, with the support of the sponsoring
committee aims to promote a better quality of life for all People with Disabilities. We have an expert
awareness of the barriers faced by people with Disabilities and has adopted a broad and realistic method towards
breaking these barriers.
"The succerss of the project is directly related tothe fact that it was created by Mr George Dineen, Mr Jim Sheehy
and individuals with disabilities. It has been developed by people with disabilities for people with disabilities"
"We wish the success of our project to be judged by progression of the individual through full time employment,
part-time employment or back to education"
"Integration has and continues to ber an essential component as part of the functioning of the organisation"
About Us
Brief History
ABLE came about when it became clear that there were little or no mainstream employment opportunities for People
with Disabilities. This led to a teamwork effort between People with Disabilities registered with Natinal
Rehabilitation Board (NRB) and Cerebral Palsy Ireland (now known as Enable Ireland) to secure a project under
the Part Time Opportunities Programme (PTJOP) under the auspices of CORI. CPI agreed to act as sponsor to the
project and in Debember 1994 ABLE was born.
Staff
Project Supervisor: Anne Connolly
Anne Connolly started her career with Friends of ABLE as a Personal Assistant to Adults with Disabilities
and was based in Pembroke Street, Tralee. She took up the job of Supervisor in April 1999 and
currently is the longest serving member of the organisation. Anne is friendly, courteous and has
a genuine interest in helping people in addition to being hard-working. She studied Community Workplace
Management at the National College of Ireland. Friends of ABLE has continued to flourish under
her supervision with more projects and people joining all the time
Assistand Supervisor: Aine McCarthy Roche
Aine started with Friends of ABLE as a part time employee on a Community Employment Scheme and following an expansion of
the project she was appointed Assistant Supervisor in February 2016. Aine has a long work history of management in the private sector and has
studied extensively in order to qualify for management positions. Her hard work was rewarded with a promotion this February and is on
hand as always to deal with all queries and requests for information
