SIOBHAN BARRON
DIRECTOR
NATIONAL DISABILITY AUTHORITY
10 DECEMBER 2010
UN CONVENTION ON RIGHTS OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY
National Disability Strategy
•  Disability Act 2005
•  “Sectoral Plans” – programmes of action by 6
government departments
•  Legislation for Personal Advocacy Service
•  Special multi-annual budget for high priority
services (2005-2009)
•  Education for Persons with Special Education
Needs Act 2004
•  Cabinet Procedures – disability proofing
Disability Act 2005
•  Independent assessments of need
•  Accessible mainstream public services, and supports to
access them
•  Sectoral plans
•  3% target for employment in the public service
•  Universal Design
Sectoral Plans
•  Disability action plans covering health,
environment, social welfare, employment,
transport and communications
•  Obligations for cross-agency co-operation
•  Progress report to Parliament every 3 years
•  Monitored and reported twice-yearly
Framework to Support Strategy
•  Cabinet Committee – Taoiseach and relevant
Ministers
•  Senior Officials Group – 10 Govt Depts
•  Departmental Committees
•  National Disability Strategy Stakeholder
Monitoring Group (NDSSMG)
National Disability Strategy
Stakeholder Monitoring Group
•  Chair: Dept of An Taoiseach
•  Co-Chair: Disability Stakeholder Group chair
•  Members: senior officials, the NDA, disability
groups, Social partnership, HSE & NCSE
Where National Disability Strategy
advances key areas of
UN Convention
•  UN Convention: comprehensive application of
civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
to people with disabilities
•  National Disability Strategy: cross-sectoral
strategy and actions plans towards integrating
people with disabilities in mainstream society
•  Economic, social and cultural aspects of agenda
Consultation
•  UN Convention – Art. 4
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  States Parties shall
closely consult with and
actively involve persons
with disabilities, including
children with disabilities,
through their
representative
organizations
•  Disability Legislative
Consultation Group
•  Consultation re Sectoral
Plans
•  NDS Stakeholder Group
monitoring role
Consultation
•  UN Convention – Art. 4
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Promotion, research &
development of
universally designed
goods, services,
equipment and facilities
•  Statutory Centre of
Excellence in Universal
Design part of NDA since
2007:
-
age, size, ability and
disability focus
-
buildings, products,
services and ICT
Accessibility
•  UN Convention – Art. 9
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Accessible premises,
information
•  Public sector - accessible
services, premises,
information, public
procurement
•  Access to private sector
public venues
•  Accessibility programme
by local authorities
•  Revised Part M (Building
Regulations)
•  Disability Access
Certificate
•  Codes of Practice
Accessibility
•  UN Convention – Art. 19
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Rights to full inclusion and
participation in the
community
•  4,000 in institutions - HSE
Review Congregated
Settings
•  Choice where and with
whom to live
•  Value for Money &
Disability Policy Review
•  NDA research & advice on
models & systems
•  Vision for Change –
mental health
Transport and mobility
•  UN Convention – Art. 20
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Personal mobility with
independence
•  Accessible public
transport plan
•  Access to quality mobility
aids, devices and
assistive technology
•  New National Transport
Authority – remit to
integrate services
•  Independent assessment
of needs/ Service
statement
Access to information
•  UN Convention – Art. 21
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Information intended for
the general public to
persons with disabilities in
accessible formats
•  Public service obligations
for accessible information
under Disability Act
•  Mass media to impart in
accessible ways
•  Subtitling timetable for TV
programmes
•  Accessible e-government,
public sector websites
Education
•  UN Convention – Art. 24
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  An inclusive education
system at all levels
•  EPSEN Act provides for
independent
assessments, Individual
Education Plans
•  Supports to facilitate the
effective education of
children with disabilities
•  Mainstream schooling is
supported
•  Schools may be directed
to accept a child
Health
•  UN Convention – Art. 25
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Provide persons with
disabilities with the same
range, quality and
standard of free or
affordable health care
•  Programme for accessible
mainstream health
facilities
•  Early identification and
intervention
•  Independent Needs
Assessment began with
under-5s, June 2007
Employment
•  UN Convention – Art. 27
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  The right of persons with
disabilities to work, on an
equal basis with others
•  Employment Equality Acts
•  Employ people with
disabilities in the public
service
•  Employment Strategy for
people with disabilities
•  3% employment target in
public service now the law
Living standards
•  UN Convention – Art. 28
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Adequate standard of
living
•  Sectoral Plan on Social
Welfare
•  Access to public housing
programmes
•  New housing strategy for
people with disabilities
Culture recreation and sport
•  UN Convention – Art. 30
•  Nat. Disability Strategy
•  Right of persons with
disabilities to take part on
an equal basis with others
in cultural life
•  Accessibility programme
for local authority venues
e.g. libraries & leisure
centres
•  Access to sporting,
recreational and tourism
venues
•  Excellence through
Accessibility Awards
•  NDA Code of Practice on
Heritage Sites
Legal capacity
•  Govt. view law must be updated before can ratify
UN Convention
•  Publication now likely early 2011
•  May reflect some changes from original proposals
in response to feedback, e.g. at consultation
event organised by NDA
Conclusion
•  Challenge – difficult economic and financial times
•  Work to progress National Disability Strategy in
recession
•  Prepare for upturn in employment
•  Strategy and framework – focal point for change
and implementing UN Convention
Thank you
www.nda.ie