Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority

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