This study explores the experiences of co-designers participating in a co-design program, a collaborative initiative between an Irish university and a service organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 10 co-designers with intellectual disabilities and 20 undergraduate students to understand their perceptions and experiences co-design. We conducted a reflexive semantic thematic analysis of focus groups which yielded key themes around positive experiences, emphasizing shared understanding and reciprocal learning. In addition to presenting the findings from this study we reflect on the importance of careful consideration of accessible protocols from data collection to data analysis to ensure an inclusive approach. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, co-designers, and developers, contributing to sustainable and accessible co-design tools.

The paper presents the results of a pilot survey of the experiences of blind, partially sighted and autistic people of using and being involved in the design of recommender systems, an area on which there is minimal research despite the increasing importance of recommender systems. A relatively small proportion of the participants were using recommender systems for a variety of common applications. They were particularly interested in information about robustness and reliability and noise/quietnes in operation and on standby for products and busyness, toilets, including accessible and all gender for services, noise/quietness. Small percentages had had some involvement in the design of new products, programs and systems. They highlighted the importance of involving them in the design from the start and the need for multiple ways to get involved, including the full diversity of the autistic community and learning how a blind person would use the software.

This study examines the development of a user-centred interactive tool designed to enable individuals with visual disabilities to actively contribute to the creation of synthesised audio descriptions (ADs). A pilot study revealed that a substantial number of existing synthesised ADs were rated as unsatisfactory by blind and partially blind users. Subsequent analysis identified pitch, speech rate, pauses, and volume as key areas requiring improvement. Based on these findings, prototype software was developed, enabling users to adjust accent, pitch, and pause length using their own voices. User feedback indicated that the tool has the potential to enhance the audibility of synthesised speech and expand users' expressive capabilities. The study sought to advance assistive technology by directly involving individuals with visual disabilities in the creation of ADs. This collaborative approach deepens understanding of effective speech expression, promotes user-centred design principles, and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable media landscape for all.

This study explores the co-designing, development and implementation of an accessible Person-Centered Plan (PCP) dataset within a cloud-based system to enhance service delivery for adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland. Current PCP systems are fragmented, leading to inefficiencies and data inconsistencies. This project applies Action Design Research (ADR) to co-design a unified dataset that aligns with new Person-Centered Planning policy guidelines and regulatory compliance requirements. Co-design workshops were conducted with service users, families, support staff, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), and regulatory authorities to create an inclusive, transparent, and accessible data framework within the iPlanit platform. Preliminary results indicate that a standardised dataset improves record-keeping consistency, data accessibility, and regulatory alignment while enhancing stakeholder engagement in PCP processes. This paper presents findings from the pilot implementation and discusses the implications of scaling this approach to disability services sector-wide.