Networking Events

/ Barry Walsh

I have extensive experience co-hosting a variety of online and in-person events with respected organisations, with a particular focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). My recent work includes co-hosting panel discussions and innovative accessibility pilots for International People’s With Disabilities Day in partnership with CPL, convening high-level networking events such as the CAN Network for organisations committed to disability-inclusive hiring, and leading online and in-person focus groups—to shape more accessible services for Towards Work’s website. I am also active as a mentor for DEI-focused hackathons and have served as a judge at major DEI awards.

Co-hosting my own in-person events

I have co hosted a number of online and in-person events with established and reputable companies.

1. International People’s With Disabilities Day Event in Conjuction with CPL

In December 2024, I co-hosted an event in partnership with CPL that featured two engaging panel discussions. The first panel explored strategies for job coaches and professionals supporting people with disabilities in education, focusing on actionable ways to improve outcomes in 2025. The second panel addressed the implications of the upcoming European Accessibility Act 2025, highlighting its potential impact on organizations and individuals. We also piloted a first-of-its-kind solution for live subtitles, designed to enhance accessibility for attendees with hearing difficulties.

2. CAN Network Event

This September I will be collaborating with CPL once again to co-host the CAN Network event in CPL’s Dublin offices. This event is an in-person, invite only event and is offered to large organisations interested in hiring people with disabilities into their companies. The event agenda includes a discussion on what SME’s the companies are working with to hire people with disabilities and looking at the implications of the European Accessibility Act now that it is in place. If you are working in a large organisation and would like more information please get in touch

3. International People’s With Disabilities Day Event 2025.

This year I will once again be holding an event for International People’s With Disabilities Day entitled ‘What is the state of DEI and hiring and where do we go from here’. This will be an open event and designed to get invitees to discuss how to empower people with disabilities in the workplace. The exact date, time and location of this event is yet to be determind

– Co-hosting my own focus groups

Together with a number of organisations I have co-created my own online events designed to empower and educate people about DEI in Ireland

Organising Online and In-Person Focus Groups With Towards Work

Together with Towards Work (part of The Open Doors Initative) I held an in-person and online focuTowards Work is currently redesigning their website and sought to better understand the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities when navigating their site. To achieve this, they asked me to organise two focus groups for people with disabilities.
  • One in-person focus group took place at LinkedIn HQ in Dublin, with approximately 10 participants.
  • Recognising that many people with disabilities preferred not to attend in person, two online focus groups were also held to ensure broader inclusion and facilitate wider discussion. Approximently 50 people attended these.
All participants received a complimentary one-year LinkedIn membership in appreciation for their feedback. These focus groups were gathered with other focus groups from other disabilities organisations and insights from these sessions will inform the development of the new, more accessible Towards Work website, which is currently under construction.

– Being a mentor for hackathans that empower certain areas of DEI such as female Empowerment

Since 2019, I have been actively involved in a range of hackathons focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
1. In 2020, I was part of the organising committee for Hack Access, a hackathon aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland. My responsibilities included recruiting participants, creating content for the event before, during, and after it took place, managing on-the-day logistics, resolving issues such as teams sticking to deadlines, and ensuring all participants with disabilities were properly supported.
2. Also in 2020, I took part in the What The Hack virtual hackathon as a mentor and judge. This event, held during the early stages of the pandemic, focused on making remote working more inclusive and effective for everyone. It brought together approximately 25 participants from around the world.
3. Since 2021, I have served as a mentor for Techstars Women’s Weekend Dublin. My role involves working closely with teams, offering feedback on their ideas, discussing their viability and originality, and helping ensure a consistent focus on universal design principles throughout the event.

– Being a Judge at DEI Focused Awards

In 2025, I served as a judge at the Diversity in Business Awards, organised by Business River. The event was attended by approximately 100 people. My responsibilities included recruiting fellow judges, rigorously evaluating award entries according to Business River’s established criteria, and presenting five awards to the winning applicants during the ceremony.

If you would like more information on any of my other services please click these links

Uncategorised