Turas Nua was proud to officially launch its new Be Your Own Boss (BeYOB) programme at the recent Autism Jobs Fair in Maynooth, marking an important step towards creating more inclusive pathways into employment for people with disabilities.

Hosted by AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity, and the Department of Social Protection at the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, the event formed part of Disability Work and Skills Week 2026. It brought together jobseekers, employers and support organisations to explore opportunities for greater inclusion in the workplace.

Introducing Be Your Own Boss

Officially launched by Turas Nua General Manager JulieAnn McCann, Be Your Own Boss (BeYOB) is a new initiative designed to help people with disabilities explore opportunities in self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Delivered in partnership with Entrepreneurs Academy, and supported by University College Cork, WALK, Trinity College Dublin and AsIAm, the programme aims to empower individuals to consider alternative pathways into meaningful, sustainable employment.

Recognising that traditional employment may not suit everyone's circumstances or aspirations, BeYOB encourages participants to explore their entrepreneurial potential and consider how self-employment could offer greater flexibility, independence and choice.

The programme generated considerable interest among attendees, highlighting the demand for employment supports that recognise individual strengths and ambitions.

Moving Beyond Awareness to Action

Throughout the event, speakers emphasised the need for continued progress in improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Niall Egan, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Social Protection, highlighted the importance of increasing labour market participation, acknowledging that no single approach can meet everyone's needs.

Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, also addressed the significant barriers autistic people continue to face in accessing employment, stressing that greater awareness must translate into meaningful action.

While progress has been made in recognising the importance of workplace inclusion, more must be done to ensure people with disabilities can access opportunities that reflect their skills, interests and circumstances.

As highlighted during the event, even relatively small changes to recruitment practices and workplace environments can help remove barriers. Equally, initiatives such as BeYOB demonstrate the importance of looking beyond conventional employment models and exploring new possibilities.

Creating Opportunities Through Collaboration

A recurring message throughout the morning was that improving disability employment outcomes requires collaboration between government, employers, support organisations and individuals.

The development of BeYOB reflects this approach, bringing together expertise in employment services, entrepreneurship, education and disability advocacy to create additional opportunities for people with disabilities.

Turas Nua's Employability team was also delighted to attend the event, connecting with jobseekers and employers interested in learning more about the supports and services available.

At Turas Nua, we believe meaningful employment should not be defined by a one-size-fits-all approach.

Whether through traditional employment or entrepreneurship, everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue a career that reflects their abilities and ambitions.

The launch of Be Your Own Boss represents another positive step towards making that vision a reality.