Wexford Charity Uses VR to Show Autism Reality
Chadwick’s Wexford Park hosted a quieter, reflective event on Wednesday, during which attendees participated in an autism simulation.
Parents, caregivers, county councillors, local representatives, and business owners attended the event. Here, the Cottage Autism Network (CAN) delivered an immersive virtual reality experience which smoothly connected the community to simulated sensory conditions often experienced by neurodivergent children in everyday environments.
During the simulation, participants encountered amplified background noise, intensified visual stimuli and increased environmental pressure. These items reflected the challenges some individuals face in routine situations and illustrated the effort required to process and respond to everyday surroundings.
This powerful experience prompted visible emotional expressions among audience members, drawing renewed attention to accessibility across County Wexford. Building on this reaction, organisers indicated that the exercise was designed to move beyond awareness and encourage practical steps towards inclusion.
CAN, a volunteer-led organisation established in 2004, currently supports more than 300 families in the county. Over the past two decades, it has developed a range of services to provide both inclusion and respite for young people and their families, addressing their changing needs.
At the event, the organisation outlined its ongoing work, highlighting subsidised youth and children’s clubs, therapeutic horse-riding sessions, and the Summer Soccer Experience programme. Notably, this programme has recently been selected by the Football Association of Ireland as a national pilot initiative, further recognising CAN’s efforts.
The organisation also voiced heartfelt concern for the journey into adulthood, sharing how parents often worry as support for neurodivergent individuals dramatically drops off after age 18, leaving many families feeling anxious and uncertain about the future.
Among the proposals presented was the development of a mobile sensory hub. The planned sensory van would travel to public events, festivals and community meetings throughout the county, to boost accessibility and enable wider participation regardless of sensory needs or location.
CAN also identified the establishment of a permanent community hub on Wexford’s Main Street as a priority. The proposed space would provide a quiet, regulated setting for individuals experiencing sensory overload, enabling them to step away from busy surroundings.
The facility would also include fully accessible toilets and changing amenities intended to serve individuals of all ages with complex needs. The organisation identified this as an important gap in the existing infrastructure in Wexford town, particularly in relation to maintaining dignity and ensuring availability.
Local councillors Vicky Barron, Catherine Walsh, Lisa McDonald, Tom Forde, Aoife Rose O’Brien and Leonard Kelly attended the event and were acknowledged for their support.
The organisation stated that its proposals seek to meet both immediate sensory requirements and longer-term infrastructure needs. By these measures, CAN seeks to improve accessibility and inclusion across the county.
To learn more about the Cottage Autism Network, join as a member, or discover partnership opportunities, please visit the official site or contact us through the listed channels.
