An advocate for young people with disabilities hopes his Gaisce Gold Medal Award will inspire others to challenge themselves.
Conor Dillon, a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, was presented with the award by President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin.
He is the first person in the history of the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) to receive the award.
"It's a huge honour to me to get this award and to represent the Central Remedial Clinic," Mr Dillon said.
"I’m extremely proud of the work that the Central Remedial Clinic do to inspire young people and they help so many people."
President Michael D Higgins awarded 98 young people Gaisce Gold Award Medals in recognition of their contribution to communities across Ireland.
President Higgins said: "We must value and empower our youth, ensuring access to education, opportunities, and programmes such as Gaisce to allow them to express their ideas and make a positive impact in the communities in which they live."
Award recipients invested more than 37,000 hours in personal development and voluntary activities in their communities.
Conor Dillon focused his work on improving the lives and rights of people with disabilities.
"It is important to have a voice and have input into things," Mr Dillon explained. "When I was in the CRC, I was very lucky to be on the advocacy committee for two years and the human rights committee for two years.
"I’m capable but people with disabilities need some help and they need resources. My project looked at public transport and how to improve it for people with disabilities like getting more hydraulic ramps on public transport."
Gaisce is a non-formal education award that supports young people in learning and building careers.
People with disabilities being accepted and recognised in the workplace is particularly important to Conor Dillon.
"I do not want to be the last from the CRC to get this award. I want to inspire young people up and down the country to take on gold," Mr Ryan said.
"Yes, it is a challenge but it’s a very good challenge and it’s a sense of achievement.
"It also shows employers that you’re not afraid of hard work, that you’re not afraid of challenges and anything employers set you in the future, you will exceed and deliver.
