Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority

Annual Report 2005
Delivery on these functions has commenced. The NDA, at the request of the Minister
for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, prepared its first code of practice, i.e. the draft
code of practice to support public bodies in meeting their statutory obligations
to make public services and information accessible. In addition, the NDA hosted a
series of briefings for public bodies on their new responsibilities under the Act. While
developing its own response to the six outline sectoral plans published by Government
Departments, the NDA also facilitated regional briefings in partnership with those
Departments to enable input from a range of stakeholders including people with
disabilities, their families and carers and also service providers. Over the course of
2005, the NDA offered independent and expert advice to the Departments to support
the further development of the draft plans. It also provided support to the Disability
Legislation Consultative Group.
Research and publication activity was also strong during the year, with 20 publications
produced. The commitment by Government to strategic action on disability is
particularly welcome in the light of research published by the NDA in 2005 - “How Far
Towards Equality” - documenting the unequal participation of people with disabilities in
Irish society.
That report indicates that compared to non-disabled people, people with disabilities
are:
• less likely to have achieved any qualifications
• two and a half times less likely to have a job
• likely to earn less in a job
• twice as likely to be at risk of poverty
• more likely to live with their parents as adults
• more likely to live in care
• more likely to experience poor health
• less likely to be physically active
• less likely to have a car
• more likely to have difficulty with public transport
• more restricted in socialising outside the home
• less likely to have a holiday
The NDA has recommended that progress towards eliminating these inequalities be
tracked on a regular basis through 26 key indicators of participation in society.
Other major research included a study on Part M of the Building Regulations;
research on the experience of people with disabilities in mainstream health services
and an analysis of international best practice with Individual Education Plans
among the research publications. Employment issues were also a focus, with two
round-tables with international experts, a publication on disability and work, and a
research conference in October on disability and employment. These all contributed
to the NDA’s ongoing work to identify the key components of a successful and
comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities.