July is Disability Pride Month, and at FIT, inclusion is at the core of everything we do. Part of our mission is to ensure access to in-demand tech skills and making technology accessible for all.
As the national coordinator of tech apprenticeships, FIT has long championed pathways that prioritise access, skills and opportunity. Through the Cuimsiú programme, an initiative set up in 2024, FIT continues to build on that, making tech careers truly inclusive and supporting disabled people on their journey into Ireland’s growing tech sector, and supporting employers in creating accessible and inclusive workplaces.
What is the Cuimsiú Programme?
Cuimsiú (kwim-shoo), which means “inclusion” in Irish, is an initiative set up by FIT to support Neurodivergent and Disabled People on a path to tech employment that works for them. We also work with employers to support them in creating inclusive workplaces.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Social Protection and the European Union, the programme aims to ensure that people with disabilities are fully supported to find and maintain employment. Cuimsiú also works with employers to support them in their own efforts to create more inclusive workplaces.
How Cuimsiú Can Help You
For candidates, the Cuimsiú programme provides a flexible and tailored approach to each candidate’s needs.
What the programme covers:
- Access to tech training, platforms and workshops such as CV and interview preparation
- 1:1 sessions with our Employability Mentors.
- Soft skills training – communication, leadership, team work, confidence and more!
- Mental health and wellbeing.
- Exploring career options, meeting leaders in industry and transitioning to the workplace.
For employers, Cuimsiú offers online and in-person training as part of the Cuimsiú Employer Network, providing opportunities to share inclusive practices with one another and build capacity. The Cuimsiú Team is also on hand to provide support to your team and connect you with our talented candidate pool.
Why It Matters
Disability Pride Month isn’t just about celebration, it’s about visibility, empowerment, and equity. In Ireland, disabled people are significantly underrepresented in the workforce, often due to societal and attitudinal barriers they face, limiting their access to the very industries that are shaping the future.
That’s why programmes like Cuimsiú matter. They don’t just open doors – they challenge outdated assumptions, promote inclusive design from the ground up, and create space for inclusive innovation.
Get Involved
Are you an employer interested in hiring inclusive tech talent? Or, are you a candidate with a disability, looking to start a career in tech?
Explore our range of supports through the Cuimsiú programme. Email info@fit.ie or visit our webpage here learn more and sign up directly.
