Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority

National Disability Authority
The NDA continued to work in partnership with stakeholders, including the
National Council on Ageing and Older People, in relation to ageing and people with
disabilities and during 2005, prepared a review of relevant literature to inform further
consideration of the issues.
4.0 Quality in Services
The NDA has important functions in relation to the development of standards and
codes of practice. In 2005, activities included the finalisation and launch of guidelines
on person centred planning to guide the development and delivery of health
services.
Activities also included the development and launch of guidelines for improving access
to bus, rail and light rail services for people with disabilities which were developed
following national consultation and presented to the Department of Transport. The
National Standards for Disability Services were presented to the Department of Health
in December 2004. During 2005, the NDA tested the Standards, at the invitation of the
HSE, in community based occupational therapy and physiotherapy services in a number
of service centres.
5.0 Building the
Organisation
During 2005 the NDA continued to invest in the development and training in staff and
commissioned an independent analysis of training needs to inform future planning. It
also invested in the upgrading of IT hardware to strengthen operational support. The
website was upgraded and search functions enhanced, with a positive outcome from
accessibility and usability testing.
A review of the personnel manual was conducted and staff were briefed on revised
policies and procedures. In addition, the NDA commissioned a review of the human
resources structure, procedures and processes, to inform the development of that
function. A procurement audit confirmed that the NDA was in compliance with the
relevant guidelines and procedures. The NDA also conducted a risk management
exercise which provided a framework for future activity and response in line with good
practice.
Siobhan Barron
Director
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