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>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2005</strong><br />
Built Environment<br />
A review of the effectiveness of Part M of the Building Regulations<br />
<strong>The</strong> aim of this piece of research commissioned by the NDA was to examine the<br />
effectiveness of the component of the Irish building regulations that is designed<br />
to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. <strong>The</strong> research was conducted by<br />
Fionnuala Rogerson Architects, with Michael McNamara. <strong>The</strong> report involved surveying<br />
people with disabilities, architects, other professional bodies, key informants in the<br />
building profession; research on accessibility legislation in other countries; and reviews<br />
of plans and site visits to assess accessibility issues in current construction projects.<br />
<strong>The</strong> study documented features of new buildings which people with disabilities found<br />
as problematic. A review of standards in other countries highlighted areas where Irish<br />
standards are weaker or absent. Most notably findings indicated the limitations of the<br />
technical guidance under Part M in accommodating people with vision, hearing or<br />
cognitive impairments. <strong>The</strong> study found that the existing Part M standards are not being<br />
fully implemented, that implementation is not being fully monitored, and that effective<br />
enforcement is required. Inspections of building plans and site visits conducted as part<br />
of the study showed that a significant proportion of new building work falls short of<br />
delivering accessibility. <strong>The</strong> report entitled A Review of the Effectiveness of<br />
Part M of the Building Regulations was launched in December <strong>2005</strong>.<br />
Health<br />
Prevalence of Disease in Older People<br />
Following a request to the NDA from the <strong>National</strong> Council of Ageing and Older<br />
People on the need to undertake some research on the prevalence of certain chronic<br />
diseases among older people that would inform future planning in the health service,<br />
a discussion paper was prepared for its Policy Standing Committee, the HSE and<br />
other interested parties. <strong>The</strong> paper, entitled Prevalence of Disease in Older People:<br />
An Analysis of Prevalence Rates of Cancers, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in<br />
Identified Countries, was presented in September <strong>2005</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Experiences of People with Disabilities in Accessing Health<br />
Services<br />
<strong>The</strong> NDA commissioned qualitative research on the experiences and difficulties people<br />
with disabilities face in accessing mainstream health services. <strong>The</strong> Department of Health<br />
Promotion, NUI Galway, undertook the research. In June <strong>2005</strong> the report entitled <strong>The</strong><br />
Experiences of People with Disabilities in Accessing Health Services<br />
in Ireland was published.<br />
<strong>The</strong> key issues highlighted by the study include<br />
• <strong>The</strong> need for person-centred health services that adequately reach people with<br />
disabilities<br />
• <strong>The</strong> difficulties people with disabilities face in accessing particular services<br />
including health promotion, mental health and oral health services<br />
• Inadequate public provision of certain services including speech therapy and<br />
physiotherapy<br />
• <strong>The</strong> physical, communication and attitudinal barriers that continue to exist for<br />
people with disabilities.<br />
35