Global award for tireless Laois activist and campaigner

Stradbally man Donal O'Shea has won a global award for campaigning for people with disabilities at a global education event.

Bett 2025 attracted over 35,000 educators, policymakers and industry changemakers, with over 600 EdTechs, and 400 speakers from 130 countries. The organisers describe it as “a game-changing” event in building better connections, collaboration and conversations within the education technology sector.

Mr O'Shea, a disabilities activist and campaigner in his Laois community and nationally, was presented with an award in the Social – Emotional, Mental health and Well-being section in the Global Inclusion Awards at the Bett Excel centre in London on Thursday, January 23.

He outlined to the Leinster Express / Laois Live his reason for his activism that led to the award. 

“My interest in this area stems from lived experience with ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are among the most common rheumatic diseases. These chronic progressive inflammatory diseases lead to a reduction in physical ability and increase in joint degeneration,” he said.

Mr O'Shea campaigns in the area to highlight needs and shortcomings in responses because he feels that others have no choice as it is the only way to force action from the Government and its agencies.

“Invariably citizens would prefer not to share their medical details in such a public manner, however, that is precisely what far too many advocates have had to do, to influence the necessary cultural reforms and commitments accordingly. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Donal O'Shea was selected as the Laois Unsung Hero at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards in 2019 which were presented by RTÉ broadcaster Claire Byrne from Mountrath. Pic: Michael Scully

“With 1.1 million national citizens declaring to have one or more disability in the 2022 census, 70% of which are of a 'hidden nature', the sector has not been prioritized or policy adequately robust, to comply with the State’s legal obligations, since ratification of the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in March 2018.

“There has also been inadequate and ineffective utilization of the infrastructure of the State to represent the sectors medical and varying personal needs. There has been excess misalignment of policies and failings in governance, too readily visible, with fragmentation between the national Government and the local authorities.

Mr O'Shea, who hails from Kerry, previously won a global award for Social Impact at the UNESCO HQ in Paris in 2024,
He was shortlisted for an Excellence in ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Award for the Think Global People Relocate Award in 2024. He is a past winner of the Unsung Hero Award at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards.