DESSA is proud to commemorate our dear friend and founding member, Jacqui Browne.
A pioneering disability activist, friend, mentor and advocate, Jacqui played an instrumental role in establishing DESSA in 2001. Over the course of more than two decades, she dedicated herself to championing the full and equal participation of disabled people in Irish society. As Chairperson and board member, Jacqui brought unwavering passion, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to human rights for those marginalised by disability.
Jacqui was a former member of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities – whose work formed the foundation for disability rights in Ireland. Her legacy extended across multiple organisations: she served on the Disability Advisory Committee of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), was a board member of Independent Living Movement Ireland and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and acted as a patient advocate with Irish Platform for Patient Organisations (IPPOSI) as well as being a Fellow of the European Patients Advocacy Training Initiative (EUPATI).
A lifelong campaigner for thalidomide survivors and their families, Jacqui’s fight for justice continued until her final days.
Most recently, she chaired the Disabled Persons Organisations (DPO) Network, championing the full implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) in Ireland. Under her leadership, the DPO Network partnered with the State in co-creating the forthcoming Disability Inclusion Strategy – where her vision and determination shone brightly.
Outside her advocacy, Jacqui lived with great spirit. A sailor, traveller, connoisseur of wine and craic and a passionate rugby fan- she embraced life fully. In 2010, she took part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, a testament to her adventurous soul. Jacqui had a gift for connecting with people, and she made lasting friendships wherever she went.
Jacqui was generous with her time and knowledge, offering support and mentorship in disability activism for over 30 years. She was courageous, tenacious and deeply skilled – leaving an enduring mark on Ireland’s human rights landscape.
Jacqui’s passing leaves an immeasurable void—not only among her friends and colleagues, but across the entire disability and human rights communities in Ireland and beyond. Her wisdom, warmth, and indomitable spirit were a source of strength to all who knew her. For many, she was a guiding light—steadfast in her convictions and generous in her support. Her absence will be felt deeply in conversations where her voice once rang clear, in movements she helped shape, and in the hearts of those who walked beside her on the path toward equality and justice.
We will carry forward her legacy with love, admiration, and gratitude—determined to honour her work by continuing the fight for inclusion and dignity for all disabled people. Her memory will remain a beacon for future generations of activists, reminding us that one person’s courage and compassion can truly change the world.