O’Herlihy Access Consultancy (OHAC) has been shortlisted for the Consultancy of the Year – Small category award at the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2026, recognising the specialist expertise, commitment and impact of our team within Ireland’s built environment.
Being shortlisted is an important milestone for OHAC and reflects the growing recognition of accessibility and Universal Design as essential considerations in creating better buildings, places and services.
Since OHAC was established, our work has focused on helping organisations create environments, services and experiences that are more accessible and disability inclusive. You can learn more about OHAC’s story and the principles that continue to shape our work on our Our Story page.
Building a stronger understanding of accessibility
The role of accessibility within the construction and property sectors continues to develop.
Organisations are increasingly considering how people experience buildings throughout their lifecycle, including how they arrive, navigate and use spaces independently.
Through our Built Environment Consultancy, OHAC works with design teams, developers, contractors, property owners and public bodies to incorporate accessibility and Universal Design into new developments, existing buildings and the public realm.
Our wider Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Consultancy also supports organisations with accessibility strategies, policies, access audits, stakeholder engagement and disability-inclusive services and workplaces.
Together, these services allow accessibility to be considered as part of broader organisational and project decisions rather than as an isolated requirement.
Creating impact through our work
OHAC has contributed specialist accessibility expertise to projects and organisations across commercial property, education, transport, healthcare, tourism, culture, sport and public services.
Our portfolio of past clients and projects includes the Central Bank of Ireland, Netflix, University of Galway, Bus Éireann, RCSI, the Office of Public Works, the National Disability Authority and Sport Ireland.
High profile projects such as the Central Bank of Ireland Docklands Campus, for example, demonstrate how Universal Design consultancy, technical accessibility advice and training can contribute to major developments.
The Central Bank project subsequently received the RIAI Universal Design Building of the Year Award in 2017.
Similarly, OHAC’s work on The Curragh Racecourse included Universal Design advice and workshops, Disability Access Certificates, technical advice, Part M ancillary certification, pre-visitor information and training as part of the redevelopment of the facility.
These projects demonstrate the breadth of specialist knowledge that our team brings to the built environment and the opportunity to influence accessibility throughout the development of a project.
Sharing knowledge and building awareness
Our work extends beyond individual consultancy projects.
Through accessibility and Universal Design training, research, guidance and professional engagement, OHAC also supports organisations and professionals in developing their own knowledge and capacity.
Our public and customised training programmes cover accessibility within the built environment, disability awareness, accessible services, information provision and workplace accessibility.
This knowledge-sharing is an important part of creating longer-term change. Greater awareness helps accessibility become part of everyday decision-making across organisations and professional teams.
Increasing awareness within the construction industry
Recognition through the Irish Construction Industry Awards provides another opportunity to bring accessibility and Universal Design into the wider construction industry conversation.
Architects, designers, developers, contractors, facilities teams, public bodies and property owners all have a role in shaping how people experience the built environment.
When accessibility is considered early and consistently, it can contribute to better design decisions and better outcomes for the people who use those spaces.
For OHAC, this is an important part of the impact we want to create.
Our success is seen in organisations developing stronger accessibility strategies, professionals expanding their knowledge and project teams placing greater consideration on Universal Design.
Recognition of our team
Being shortlisted for the Consultancy of the Year – Small award is also recognition of the people behind OHAC.
Our team brings together specialist knowledge and professional experience across accessibility, Universal Design and the built environment.
That expertise has allowed OHAC to support organisations across Ireland and internationally while continuing to develop our services, share knowledge and advocate for more accessible environments and experiences.
We are proud to be shortlisted alongside other specialist consultancies contributing to Ireland’s construction industry and grateful to our clients, project partners and collaborators who continue to involve OHAC in their work.
The Irish Construction Industry Awards 2026 finalist announcement is another positive milestone in OHAC’s journey and reinforces our commitment to making accessibility and Universal Design a recognised part of quality design and organisational practice.