The Disability Day Opportunities Service offers community-based supports to adults with disabilities.
Supports include day services and rehabilitative training. These help people with disabilities to live independently, develop skills and take part in community activities.
The service aims to give people choices to do things that matter to them and support a good quality of life.
The service is sometimes called the Adult Disability Day Service or New Directions.
Community-based services
Most of the community-based services are provided by voluntary organisations, and funded by the HSE. Some are called resource centres, training centres, inclusion hubs or day services.
Not all areas offer the same services. Contact your local Adult Disability Day Opportunities Office to find out about the day services available in your area.
Disability Day Opportunities Offices
Who is eligible for day services
A person may be eligible for disability day services if they are age 18 or older and have:
- an intellectual disability
- a complex (more than 1) physical disability
- a sensory disability - such as being deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired
- autism
You can apply for disability day services at any time if you or the disabled person is eligible for the service and would benefit from it.
Contact your local Disability Day Opportunities Office if you are unsure if the person is eligible.
How to apply for a day service
You need to complete an application form to apply for disability day services.
Disability day services referral form (PDF, 457 KB, 11 pages)
Send the form to your local Disability Day Opportunities Office.
A member of the day opportunities team will contact you.
Who can make the application
You can apply for yourself (self-referral).
If the application is for someone else, it can be made by:
- a family member or advocate
- a young person's school
- the local children’s disability network team (CDNT)
- a healthcare professional
If a young person is leaving school
If you are applying for a young person leaving school:
- apply after they turn age 16
- apply at least 12 to 18 months before they are due to leave school
Schools often make the application on behalf of students with a disability. Check with your school before contacting the Disability Day Opportunities Office.
After the application is assessed, a member of the day opportunities team meets the young person and family member or advocate.
The team member works with the young person during their final year in school. They help them explore their options for the future and make decisions for day services or training courses.
Moving from children's disability services to adult services
Day service options
Day service options for someone with a disability include:
- rehabilitative training programmes
- adult day services
Rehabilitative training programmes
Rehabilitative programmes are training courses that help a young person develop life skills, social skills and basic work-related skills.
These courses can help people access mainstream education or training options. They usually last 2 to 4 years.
Adult day services
Adult day services support people to make everyday choices and plans. They help them live independent lives and be part of their community.
Choosing an option
Choosing a disability day service usually depends on the person’s wants and needs.
It can also depend on the services available in their area. Contact your day opportunities team to find out what is available.