About Leap

Leap is a family-led, non-profit organisation that works with children and young people with disabilities and their families.
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Leap is a family-led, non-profit organisation that works with children and young people with disabilities and their families. We work with families, their supporters and allies and their communities of place. We focus our efforts on increasing expectations of what is possible in the lives of people with disabilities. We assist people and families to take action on what matters to them towards the goal of a good life, an ordinary life.

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We assist

We assist families to build a vision of a good life and focus on relationships, belonging and socially valued roles for their family member with a disability. Leap works with families to develop their leadership skills by increasing their understanding of how to bring about positive change in the life of their family member with a disability.

We understand

We understand that when families are in a state of resignation and/or hopelessness and have not had opportunities to access support, they frequently place the responsibility for a good life at the door of the service system.

We actively support

We actively support the least restrictive, most inclusive environment for people with disabilities

We provide

We provide a range of opportunities for families to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively promote the uniqueness and interests of their own family member. We base our educational work on powerful theories and approaches including Social Role Valorisation (SRV) and Asset Based Community Development (ABCD).

We encourage

We encourage families to move away from a focus on the persons impairment and toward a more holistic understanding of what the person and family wants.  People and families’ fundamental needs are for inclusion, participation relationships, value and respect.  From this perspective, we support the full inclusion of people with disabilities and do not promote models which advocate separate settings.

We know

We know that people do better when their families are vested in their future, are connected to positive networks and are imbued with a sense of hope.

Our Vision

Inclusive Neighbourhoods

Our Mission

To assist families to take action for an inclusive life

We value:

An inclusive/ordinary life
Community capacity
Never giving up – persistent and consistent
Connection and collective action
Belonging
People with disabilities as being of equal worth and value
Families as foundational in their capacity to pursue inclusive lives and drive social change

Who we are

Leap started out in 2009 as a group of family members and professional allies (people who worked in services who knew the system and who were invited in to support family members in doing things a different way). Each person in the group believed that families needed support to imagine and create an inclusive life for their son or daughter, brother or sister.

The group came together to coordinate a suite of training for families of people with intellectual disabilities and Autism in areas such as Circles of Support, Communication, Person Centred Planning, Advocacy etc. In 2011, Rachel Cassen and Claire Murphy ran a number of Family Leadership Adventure Breaks where families got an opportunity to come together and talk, have fun and learn together and Leap as a social enterprise was born.

The duo won a Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Elevator Award in 2012 in recognition of their work. Today, Leap is led by Rachel who is supported by a number of associates who believe in the vision and values that Leap is working towards.

 

TESTIMONIALS

Leap provided us with fantastic support on working with families. The two days of training they delivered provided staff with an honest platform to discuss proactive ways to engage families, to understand what is service business and what is family business, as well as reflection on their roles. The training provided a way of valuing and enhancing the role support workers provide and feedback indicated staff really appreciated the opportunity to learn and develop their skills and understanding. We look forward to working with you again! Thank you.
RehabCare

May 2016

When I came away after the Leap weekend I was on fire. I really think it’s the way forward and it has really filled in the gap in my head that was missing. I think it’s brilliant for all agencies to be involved but I think the real change has to be on the ground through families! Families and their aspirations for their loved ones really change things especially in extended family, neighbours, community and society. Always remember you can read books, study it but we are the ones who live and breathe this every day of our lives.
Parent who attended Family Leadership Adventure Break

April 2016

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OUR TEAM

Rachel Cassen

Rachel Cassen

Director of Leap

Rachel is the Co- Founder and Director of Leap. Leap is a family-led, non-profit organisation established in 2012 that assists families of children with disabilities to take action for an inclusive life. Rachel believes that families are foundational in their capacity to pursue inclusive lives and drive social change. Rachel has grown Leap to become a community of families who can access really useful knowledge and support from one another in order to navigate life stages and to stay on an inclusive life path.
Rachel thinks that it is through people’s connections that change happens and that it is our relationships that pave the way for us to imagine, experience and enjoy a life rich in opportunity and personal growth.
Trevor Hewitt

Trevor Hewitt

Inclusion Facilitator

Drawing on over a decade of experience in the community and voluntary sector, Trevor is passionate about creating the right environment for people to enjoy an inclusive life.
In 2011, Trevor was introduced to a theory of practice called Social Role Valorisation (SRV) which has been transformative in his work. Trevor’s implementation of SRV in his own work has acted as a catalyst for change and helped break down the barriers that can get in the way of people achieving a good life.

Trevor takes a continuous approach to education and self-improvement by regularly attending relevant workshops and seminars and by keeping up to date with international best practice. Trevor has an Honours Degree in Social Policy. He has experience in the areas of change management, meaningful employment, workshop facilitation and policy formation.

He holds a black belt in karate as well as being a keen sports and music fan. Trevor is married to Angela and they have two daughters.

Keara Campbell

Keara Campbell

Chairperson

Keara Campbell is the mother of three teenage boys and lives with her sons, her husband, and their dog in the West of Ireland. Keara is a nurse and the current Chairperson of Leap. Keara became involved with Leap after attending one of their Family Leadership Adventure Breaks in Cavan in 2012. Keara’s middle son has just begun his secondary school education and Keara is actively advocating for his full inclusion in school. Keara is leading out on a new initiative for families connected to Leap called ‘Families for Inclusive Education’. Keara has co-facilitated Leap workshops, and was a presenter at Leap’s seminar on Inclusive Education in TCD in 2019. Keara and her family have travelled to North America immersing themselves in further learning opportunities with organisations that promote an Inclusive life for people with Intellectual disabilities and autism.
Deirdre Graham

Deirdre Graham

Board member

Deirdre Graham is the mother of three school-going children. Deirdre and her husband promote a vision of an inclusive ordinary life for all their children. Deirdre has commenced a Hardiman Scholarship PhD in NUIG exploring the perspectives of parents on the barriers and facilitators to achieving an ordinary life for their child with a disability. Deirdre is passionate that every child’s ability should be recognised and included in all aspects of life, towards the achievement of whatever goals and vision they aspire to.
Patricia Murphy

Patricia Murphy

Board member

Patricia Murphy is a single mum to two young teenagers and works as a Helpline Adviser with MABS (Money Advice and Budgeting Service). In 2013 Leap opened her eyes to the hope and possibilities of an ordinary life, a good life for her son with Down syndrome and her family. She began to understand the beauty and simplicity of intentional acts to ensure that her family is an active part of their community and the give and take that involves. This, alongside planning sessions facilitated by Leap, has led to real positive outcomes in Patricia’s family’s life. She is also a member of Leap’s ‘Families for Inclusive Education’ group . Attending the local secondary school along with his sister has been a huge boost for Patrica’s son’s standing in the community and his own expectations of an ordinary life for himself.

Joe Mullen

Joe Mullen

Board member

Originally from Sligo, Joe is a father of 3, two boys and a girl living in Galway in the west of Ireland with his wife Claire. Joe is an engineer by profession and is active in the local GAA and school. He became involved with LEAP when he and his wife joined their Family Leadership Webinar Series. Having started on this journey of inclusion with their middle son Dylan, the series really spoke to both of them. Joe strongly believes in inclusion for everybody, no matter what the challenge being faced by that person.  He maintains you can effect change by the smallest of gestures when well supported and informed.

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I am delighted to be connected with Leap. Since having attended one of their family leadership weekends back in 2012 my outlook for Liam's future has been full of aspirations envisioning what "a good life" could look like for us. I have attended many Leap events since that time. Thank you so much Rachel Cassen and team for your inspiring work.

L. Nolan

Parent, 2019

Leap were able to effectively manage the set up and delivery of training to a range of participants in various venues around the country. They were always professional, punctual and courteous. They managed a range of diverse situations and learning groups with skill and diplomacy. Their training and workshops were highly engaging and were designed and delivered to an extremely high standard. Training content and handouts were clear and concise even whilst covering complex topics. Training was well paced and utilised a range of methodologies including discussion and facilitated reflection, small group work and values clarification. I would have no hesitation in recommending Leap as a training provider.
Brian Smyth, Deputy CEO

Leitrim Development Company, 2019

This is just to say a huge thank you to you for yesterday’s ‘Creating a Good Life’ course in Galway. For the first time since our lovely boy was diagnosed, I am filled with enthusiasm and hope about how we as a family can help him to have a great future.
Parent who attended a workshop

February 2017

Leap provided us with fantastic support on working with families. The two days of training they delivered provided staff with an honest platform to discuss proactive ways to engage families, to understand what is service business and what is family business, as well as reflection on their roles. The training provided a way of valuing and enhancing the role support workers provide and feedback indicated staff really appreciated the opportunity to learn and develop their skills and understanding. We look forward to working with you again! Thank you.
RehabCare

May 2016

Parent feedback to the Autism Services was extremely positive and encouraging. There were a number of key responses from parents who attended the workshops. Parents advised that the workshops offered a safe supportive place to discuss the “real practical issues” for them as family units. It offered an opportunity to explore and challenge the value they place on their own roles, strength and capacity as parents /carers and where they and their children “fit” in society. Parents report an enhanced confidence in determining the pathways for their children advising they had an increased sense of “hope” and “empowerment”. Parents acknowledged that they are more willing and confident in ensuring their child is involved in their local community thus developing and widening the “natural” supports available to them as a family. Parents reported a clearer understanding of the role of support services in relation to their family. Parents who were in attendance advised they would recommend the workshops to other parents/ carers.
HSE West

2016

Very valuable - the best information, positive, beneficial. More so than any meetings that I have attended since my son's diagnosis Thank-you.
Parent who attended workshop

February 2016

For the last 6 years I have worked closely with Rachel Cassen, Director of Leap, on a number of projects, and am constantly impressed by her dedication, energy and capabilities in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to work towards a common goal. The Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway has a strong relationship with Leap, which began with Leap’s involvement in research on the personalisation of supports for people with disabilities in Ireland. Following the publication of the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Bill in July 2013, our Centre, in partnership with Leap and Inclusion Ireland, hosted the first set of national seminars to explain the Bill to people with disabilities and their families. As a result, I was invited by Leap to form the ‘Self-Directed Living Research Group’ – bringing together families, self-advocates, disability service providers and brokers with a shared interest in community living. We jointly chaired the group, and sought out funding opportunities for our work – securing a small grant from the Irish Research Council for a series of workshops and a research report on the experiences of people with disabilities and their families in using individualised funding to create good lives in the community. The workshops we held around the country for this project led to the publication of a dynamic research report, which documented the important lessons learned by people with disabilities and their families on their journeys towards self-directed living. This research was well-received globally and was cited as an example of good practice during the plenary session of a conference in Vancouver in October 2015 entitled ‘Claiming full citizenship – an international conference on self-determination, personalisation and individualised funding.’ Since the completion of the report, Leap has gone on to develop the project further with a new group of families and we have continued to collaborate and support Leap’s work in the fields of inclusive education and equal citizenship. For example, Leap presented at our annual summer school in June 2019 on the subject of young people with disabilities belonging to families and communities. Rachel is always a pleasure to work with and someone whose vision and integrity I greatly admire.
Professor Eilionóir Flynn, Director

Centre for Disability Law and Policy, NUIG, 2019

When I came away after the Leap weekend I was on fire. I really think it's the way forward and it has really filled in the gap in my head that was missing. I think it's brilliant for all agencies to be involved but I think the real change has to be on the ground through families! Families and their aspirations for their loved ones really change things especially in extended family, neighbours, community and society. Always remember you can read books, study it but we are the ones who live and breathe this every day of our lives.
Parent who attended a workshop

April 2016

I want to say thank you for the wonderful course that I was lucky enough to attend today. This morning I had no idea of what lay ahead of me and I thought it was going to be another one of those courses/gatherings where people moan about the lack of services and where I might pick up perhaps one or two ideas, but how wrong could I be. As a mum to two children with ‘disabilities’ (however I'm not sure I agree with this word) a fourteen-year-old and a seven-year-old whom both struggle to conform and fit in, I learnt that my children have so much to offer society. I learnt the importance of celebrating and building on what my children can do, not what they can't. I met some amazing people that are on similar paths to me and we learnt and supported each other and I look forward to meeting up with them all soon. I cannot recommend this course enough and if you get the chance take a few hours out and attend it. Oh, I forgot to say most importantly I see hope for the future. Thank you again.
Parent who attended workshop

February 2016