Irish Heritage Trust Introduces JAM Card to Support Visitors with Hidden Disabilities

The JAM Card (Just A Minute) allows visitors with hidden disabilities or communication barriers to discreetly request a little extra time, patience or support during their visit. By presenting a physical card or using the mobile app, visitors can quietly signal to specially trained staff that they may need additional understanding or assistance.

The three-year partnership includes staff training, awareness raising, and ongoing collaboration to embed inclusive practice across Irish Heritage Trust sites. The initiative is being rolled out at Fota House and Gardens in Cork, Johnstown Castle Estate Museum & Gardens in Wexford, and Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon.

Lisa McAlister, Head of People & Organisation Development at the Irish Heritage Trust, said:

"We are delighted to be partnering with NOW Group and introducing the JAM Card across our sites at Fota House and Gardens in Cork, Johnstown Castle, Estate Museum & Gardens in Wexford, and Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon. These special places offer calm, reflective environments where nature and history come together to promote wellbeing, and we want everyone to feel comfortable enjoying these experiences.

Our partnership with NOW Group strengthens our commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all visitors and colleagues. By adopting the JAM Card, we are raising awareness of hidden disabilities and ensuring that people feel understood, supported and confident from the moment they arrive."

Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Group, said:

"Irish Heritage Trust plays a vital role in connecting people with Ireland's heritage, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the JAM Card family. We will be working together over the next three years to support their inclusion ambitions. People with hidden disabilities represent a significant proportion of visitors, staff and volunteers, and JAM Card is a simple but powerful way to remove barriers and improve experiences for everyone."

The JAM Card is used by people with autism, neurodivergence, speech, language or communication difficulties, and other hidden disabilities. Nearly 200,000 people across the UK and Ireland now use JAM Cards, and more than 3,000 organisations have been trained through the JAM Card e-learning platform, making it one of the most widely recognised tools for supporting people with hidden disabilities.

NOW Group is calling on organisations across tourism, culture, retail and the public sector to join the movement and become JAM Card Friendly. More information is available at www.jamcard.org.