Access Information Map

The Access Information Map pilot was delivered as part of the 2024 Smart D8 programme to explore how digital innovation can address long-standing inequalities in access to health and wellbeing services for people with disabilities in Dublin 8. Developed by the CP-Life Research Centre at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, in collaboration with the National College of Art and Design, New Graphic and members of the local disability community, the pilot responded to a clear and recurring challenge: there is no centralised, accessible directory of health services and supports tailored to the needs of disabled people.

22% percent of Dublin’s population has a disability, and in Dublin 8 alone approximately 9,900 people live with a disability, including more than 3,000 individuals who experience difficulty with basic physical activities. Research conducted by the CP-Life team consistently highlights the same issue across the lifespan – children, teenagers transitioning to adult services, and adults living with childhood-onset disabilities all report difficulty finding reliable, up-to-date information about services that genuinely meet their needs. Information is often fragmented, outdated or shared informally through word of mouth, leading to delays in care and missed opportunities for participation.

The Access Information Map pilot set out to address this gap by creating a web-based application designed as a “one-stop-shop” directory of local health services and health-related supports. The ambition was not simply to list services, but to enable users to identify, review and share information about accessibility, availability and expertise in a structured, searchable and user-friendly format.

From the outset, the project was grounded in co-design. In September 2024, the CP-Life team convened a public involvement workshop with ten people with lived experience of disability. Over four hours of facilitated discussion, participants identified the information they need before using a service, how that information should be displayed, and what categories and descriptors would make the platform meaningful and usable. They highlighted the importance of practical accessibility details such as transport links, parking, toilet facilities, equipment availability, referral pathways, cost and staff experience in supporting disabled people.

These insights were brought to design students at NCAD, who developed visual concepts and wireframes for the platform. Working with digital agency New Graphic, the team then translated these concepts into a functioning prototype. The prototype was returned to the public advisory group for evaluation using a structured questionnaire combining usability ratings and open-ended feedback.

A central feature of Access Information Map is its use of crowdsourcing. Disabled people, families, support persons and service providers are able to contribute reviews and ratings, helping to ensure that information remains current and reflective of real-world experiences. Services can also self-populate details and respond to feedback, promoting dialogue and continuous improvement. This approach aims to democratise access to health information, shifting knowledge from informal networks into an open, community-owned platform.

The pilot also revealed the broader relevance of the initiative. Although initially focused on people with childhood-onset disabilities, discussions quickly expanded to include individuals living with acquired brain injury, stroke and other conditions who face similar challenges navigating services. Stakeholders from clinical, sporting and third-sector organisations have expressed strong interest in supporting rollout, and Access Information Map has been identified as a social impact initiative linked to the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability conference in 2026.

Over the next phase, success will be measured through indicators such as the number of services added, user ratings and reviews, active users, and organisational participation. As the platform scales beyond Dublin 8, sustainability will depend on building a network of review champions, ongoing moderation processes and dedicated hosting resources.

The Access Information Map pilot demonstrates the value of cross-sector collaboration within the Smart D8 network. By bringing together researchers, designers, community organisations and people with lived experience, the project has laid the foundation for a practical, scalable solution to a deeply felt community need.