WALK, a leading nonprofit organization based in Dublin, Ireland, is dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to live self-determined, inclusive lives. With a legacy spanning over 50 years and a growing network of programs across 17 locations, WALK has become a recognized force for inclusive education, employment, and community engagement.
The Challenge
The WALK PEER program serves over 200 young learners with intellectual disabilities and autism, guiding them through essential career and life readiness skills during their school years. Before the pandemic, the program was delivered entirely in person, using paper based content and localized staff support. But when COVID-19 hit, the limitations of this model became clear. Students—many of whom already faced digital exclusion—were suddenly cut off from critical educational services. Staff struggled to provide consistent, engaging, and accessible learning experiences across 10 different school sites.
To continue delivering on its mission, WALK needed a platform that could:
- Enable students to progress with their career education regardless of location
- Be intuitive and accessible for learners with varying needs
- Allow educators to track learning engagement and support reflection
- Align with WALK’s personalized, inclusive approach to development
The Turning Point
WALK explored several platforms before discovering a solution that did more than just check the technical boxes. Tovuti offered the necessary functionality, but what stood out most was the values alignment. Tovuti’s founder, Troy McClain, built the platform in honor of his sister Dora Lynn—a Special Olympian with intellectual disabilities. This deeply personal origin story mirrored WALK’s own history as a community-rooted initiative founded by families advocating for inclusion. It became immediately clear that Tovuti wasn’t just a vendor; it was a kindred partner.
Transformation Through Tovuti
With modest funding and a national charity grant, WALK began its transformation. Staff digitized the WALK PEER curriculum using Tovuti, building modules that included reflection journals, digital badges, and career readiness exercises. Use of the Tovuti Platform meant learners could navigate lessons with minimal guidance, while educators were empowered with dashboards to track progress and support individual journeys.
“Tovuti helped us turn a crisis into an opportunity. Our students are more independent, our staff are more empowered, and our reach is greater than ever."
Tovuti’s accessibility and flexibility allowed WALK to embed Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles directly into course design. Learners were met with multimedia content, interactive elements, and clear, visually organized modules—supporting a wide range of cognitive and communication styles. For students often overlooked in traditional education systems, Tovuti became a doorway to opportunity.
Today, students build personal portfolios within the platform that document achievements, reflect on learning, and showcase readiness for future employment or continued education. Staff can monitor engagement across school sites in real time, helping maintain consistency and quality. The program has even been reviewed by Dublin City University as a potential model for inclusive education nationwide.
A Platform for the Future
WALK’s story exemplifies what’s possible when mission-driven organizations find tools that align with their purpose. With Tovuti, WALK didn’t just digitize a program—they unlocked a scalable, human-first learning ecosystem that empowers students and uplifts communities. Their use of the platform continues to evolve, supporting new partnerships with employers like Amazon, Sysco, and Accenture to expand real-world learning pathways.
This transformation showcases the strength of WALK’s vision and the power of the right technology to bring that vision to life—delivering measurable, life-changing outcomes for some of Ireland’s most resilient
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