Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
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<strong>National</strong> <strong>Disability</strong> <strong>Authority</strong><br />
Objective 1.2<br />
To promote equal rights and opportunities for<br />
people with disabilities in the legislative arena<br />
<strong>Disability</strong> Act <strong>2005</strong><br />
This Act was signed into law by the President on 8 th July <strong>2005</strong>. <strong>The</strong> NDA’s role has<br />
been extended by the Act. Additional work undertaken, such as the development of a<br />
Code of Practice on Accessible Public Services, and preliminary work in relation to the<br />
establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Universal Design, is described elsewhere in<br />
the <strong>Report</strong>.<br />
Support to <strong>Disability</strong> Legislation Consultation Group<br />
During <strong>2005</strong>, the NDA continued to provide the secretariat to the <strong>Disability</strong> Legislation<br />
Consultation Group (DLCG) which comprises key disability umbrella organisations and<br />
is chaired by the Chairperson of the NDA.<br />
After the passing of the <strong>Disability</strong> Act <strong>2005</strong>, the DLCG established six consultation<br />
working groups on the Sectoral Plans, one for each Government Department<br />
concerned, and the NDA provided support to each of these working groups in the<br />
DLCG’s engagement with the individual Departments.<br />
Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004<br />
Building on its initial analysis of the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004, the NDA<br />
consulted with statutory and non-statutory organisations through round table events<br />
and individual interviews. This work fed in to a detailed analysis of the Bill along with<br />
recommendations for amendments. <strong>The</strong> NDA’s response is expected to be available in<br />
early 2006.<br />
Liaison with Legislators<br />
During <strong>2005</strong>, NDA communicated with all political parties and independent TDs, and<br />
met and briefed a number of policy advisers and spokespersons from different parties<br />
and independent Senators on disability issues. NDA information was disseminated<br />
to members of the Oireachtas and to the Oireachtas library. <strong>The</strong> NDA also made<br />
presentations to two Oireachtas committees.<br />
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children<br />
On 17 th February the NDA made a presentation on the NDA <strong>Report</strong> ‘Towards Best<br />
Practice in the Provision of Health Services for People with Disabilities in Ireland’.<br />
<strong>The</strong> material identified eleven action areas in relation to mainstream and specialist<br />
health provision, including disability policy development and the reform programme<br />
in health; user involvement and participation; quality development and standards; data;<br />
and information accessibility. <strong>The</strong> draft Standards for <strong>Disability</strong> Services and the Person<br />
Centred Planning projects were highlighted.<br />
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