Library Staff First to Become JAM Friendly as Cork City Council Rolls out Accessibility and Inclusion Training

27/06/2026

Cork City Council library staff have completed ‘Just A Minute’ (JAM) training to promote inclusion and social awareness, as the local authority begins the rollout of the special training to staff across the local authority.

The JAM training initiative is designed to make everyday interactions easier and more supportive for people with hidden disabilities, communication challenges, or additional needs.

City Libraries staff, who always strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for all library users, are now fully JAM Friendly, helping to ensure that library services are even more accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.

JAM Card users can now use their cards or app to signal to library staff that they may need a moment of patience or support.

The training has encouraged library staff to pause and give individuals extra time without rushing or making assumptions, it has provided practical guidance on clear, respectful, and inclusive communication, and it will help staff to provide a more accessible and supportive service to all members of the public.

Cork City Librarian, David O’Brien, welcomed the completion of the training programme for library staff across the city’s network of branches.

“Here at the City Library, working with our colleagues in City Council, we are really pleased to be the first in council to complete the training and embrace the concept of ‘Just A Minute’ for those who need the facility,” Mr O’Brien said. 

“It is a really good thing that the JAM initiative is being rolled out across the services of Cork City Council. 

“It’s totally discrete and inclusive and I very much welcome it.”

As part of the initiative, staff across all City Council departments, including the Senior Management Team, will also receive JAM training over the coming months.

People with hidden disabilities can often find it difficult to communicate their needs. 

The JAM Card and associated app offer a simple, discreet way for people with such additional needs to signal that they may require a little extra time or assistance. 

Used by over 75,000 people across Ireland and the UK, the initiative supports people with conditions such as learning difficulties, autism, memory issues, or other hidden disabilities. 

By showing a card or the app, users can communicate their needs non-verbally, providing an effective, non-verbal way to request understanding and support, and ultimately helping to reduce stress and anxiety during everyday interactions.

The initiative is supported by the NOW Group, a Belfast-based social enterprise that developed the JAM Card to promote understanding and inclusion in public and customer-facing environments.

Cork City Council aims to embed accessibility at the core of its services, and to make public services more inclusive. 

Through the JAM initiative, the City Council is striving to create an environment where no one feels rushed or under pressure, and where every individual is treated with patience, dignity, and respect.

For further information, please contact:
service_design@corkcity.ie
libraries@corkcity.ie

Or visit:
https://www.jamcard.org/