Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>National</strong> <strong>Disability</strong> <strong>Authority</strong><br />
Introduction<br />
This annual report outlines the<br />
progress over <strong>2005</strong> by the NDA in<br />
implementing its strategic plan for<br />
2004 to 2006 within its statutory<br />
function to advise the Minister for<br />
Justice, Equality and Law Reform,<br />
thereby influencing policy and<br />
practice as appropriate for people<br />
with disabilities. It also outlines the<br />
NDA’s activities during <strong>2005</strong> under<br />
the 5 strategic priorities covered in<br />
the strategic plan.<br />
1.0 Equal Status<br />
Since the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Disability</strong> Strategy was launched by the Government on 21<br />
September 2004, it has been a key focus of NDA activities. During <strong>2005</strong> this has<br />
included advising on the development of the <strong>Disability</strong> Act <strong>2005</strong> and the outline<br />
Sectoral Plans of the Departments of Health and Children; Social and Family Affairs;<br />
Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Transport; Communications, Marine<br />
and Natural Resources and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the cross-cutting<br />
issues to be addressed in the plans. <strong>The</strong> NDA also facilitated regional briefings with<br />
stakeholders on the draft plans. In addition, the NDA continued to provide secretarial<br />
support to the <strong>Disability</strong> Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) on the Strategy.<br />
Other important activities included the NDA research conference on <strong>Disability</strong><br />
and Employment which took place in October <strong>2005</strong>, recognising the low levels<br />
of employment of people with disabilities and the key issues to inform considerations<br />
for policy and practice development. Research commissioned on the effectiveness<br />
of Building Regulations on accessibility enabled the identification of crucial areas<br />
12