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>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2005</strong><br />
This first round of consultations was followed by a major national consultation process<br />
during which a further 75 submissions were received and further amendments were<br />
made to the document.<br />
All Government Departments were given a final opportunity to comment on the third<br />
draft, before the final revision of the Code was approved by the NDA <strong>Authority</strong> for<br />
submission to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, for consideration.<br />
Providing Information In Accessible Formats<br />
<strong>The</strong> NDA recognises that it is essential that persons with disabilities have access<br />
to information in suitable accessible formats. Since the NDA’s establishment, it has<br />
provided documents in a range of alternative versions. <strong>The</strong>se include, in addition to<br />
the standard document, large print, Braille, audio cassette, audio CD, and electronic<br />
versions in MS word, PDF and HTML. During <strong>2005</strong> the NDA produced an information<br />
guide First Steps in Producing Accessible Publications. <strong>The</strong> project had two<br />
main aims, first to assist those involved in producing publications to explore the need<br />
for a range of formats to meet the diverse needs of the intended audience. <strong>The</strong> second<br />
aim was to provide basic information on how to produce Word, large print, Braille,<br />
audio CD/cassettes, HTML, PDF and CD-Rom formats.<br />
Access Handbook<br />
In September <strong>2005</strong>, the NDA published an Access Handbook Template to support<br />
building managers in the design of an access handbook for their own organisation. An<br />
access handbook is an internal document for the use of management, maintenance<br />
personnel and both new and existing staff members. Its purpose is to provide a<br />
simple way of listing and explaining the features and facilities of a building which<br />
must be maintained or enhanced in order to improve accessibility. <strong>The</strong> NDA has<br />
disseminated the document to all local authorities and continues to provide advice<br />
on the development of assess handbooks through a series of in-house seminars on<br />
accessibility.<br />
Access Auditing of the Built Environment<br />
<strong>The</strong> NDA Guidelines for Access Auditing of the Built Environment have been<br />
developed in collaboration with the Office of Public Works and the Department of<br />
the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and were published in November<br />
<strong>2005</strong>. An access audit is typically the first step in improving the accessibility of the built<br />
environment, enabling the identification of actions necessary to make buildings/facilities<br />
accessible. <strong>The</strong> Guidelines include background information on access auditing, steps<br />
to carry out an audit and the typical structure of an audit report. <strong>The</strong> Guidelines also<br />
offer advice for clients commissioning an audit of the built environment and advice<br />
for the auditor. <strong>The</strong> NDA has disseminated the Auditing Guidelines to building control<br />
officers and maintenance personnel in local authorities, and to practitioners through<br />
the architectural, engineering and construction professional bodies.<br />
Guidelines for Purchasers of <strong>Disability</strong> Equality Training<br />
<strong>The</strong> Guidelines for Purchasers of <strong>Disability</strong> Equality Training were launched on 22 nd<br />
November. <strong>The</strong>se Guidelines aim to assist organisations with the development of their<br />
<strong>Disability</strong> Equality Training programme. Following the establishment of an organisational<br />
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