National Disability Authority

We have issued a tender for the completion of a ‘Universal Design Homes Cost Benefit Analysis Report’. This work is being carried out under actions in the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 and Housing Options for our Ageing Population Policy Statement. The deadline for submissions is 17 December 2024 at 15:00. More information is available on our website, https://bit.ly/4193wOW.

Happy UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities #DisabilityDay #IDPD. This day is observed annually on December 3rd. The theme for this year is "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future."  This theme recognises the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasises the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) emphasises the role of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) - organisations that are led by and largely made up of disabled people. Article 4.3 of the Convention states that ‘States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organisations.’ The NDA has published Participation Matters which are guidelines for government departments and agencies on implementing the obligation to meaningfully engage with disabled people in public decision making (available at https://lnkd.in/eUPUZB7F). There are increasing examples of this being done well in the public sector although more needs to be done. This includes funding DPOs to participate, and building the capacity of both DPOs and the public sector to understand each other and to work effectively together. It is very welcome to see more grass roots DPOs emerging at county level and engaging with their Local Authorities. Our NDA offices are undergoing refurbishment works to improve the accessibility of our building so we are not lighting up purple this year but are sharing our photo form last year. #PurpleLightUp

Find out how the European Accessibility Act impacts you! Our colleagues in The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD), in partnership with AccessibleEU , the Irish Computer Society – ICS, and the Irish Accessibility Networking Group (IANG) are holding an online workshop on Monday 9 December at 11:00-12:30 (GMT). This workshop is about helping you understand the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which is a set of rules that will make things like websites, products and services easier for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. This event is for people and organisations in Ireland and across the EU, including: - market surveillance and compliance authority officers, - product designers/business analysts, - Software Developers / QA Testers, - Educators and students, - Diversity and inclusion specialists, - people with disabilities and - anyone else who wants to learn about the European Accessibility Act and how it works. Full details at https://lnkd.in/egYUwfMX #Accessibility #EAA #EuropeanAccessibilityAct #MarketSurveillance #Compliance #SoftwareDevelopers #ProductDesigners #QATesters #DiversitySpecialist #InclusionSpecialist #DiversityandInclusion

The NDA invites stakeholders in the disability sector to join a #consultation to shape a potential National Disability Survey following the 2027 Census. The survey will aim to address critical issues affecting disabled people in Ireland. We are particularly seeking input from: - Disabled Persons’ Organisations, - Individuals with lived experience of disability, - Organisations that campaign for or support people with disabilities, and - Researchers in the disability sector. Join us to help inform a survey that reflects the needs and priorities of disabled people in Ireland. The consultation will be held in-person on November 26 and online on December 4. - Register to attend in-person (November 26 at the Gibson hotel, Dublin) at https://lnkd.in/eFY4q7zr - Register to attend online (December 4) at https://lnkd.in/egruDc73 Register by November 15th to have your say on this important initiative.

Our annual #SomeoneLikeMe Art Competition is underway in schools across the country and there’s still time to enter for a chance to win some fantastic prizes. Prizes are awarded to 1 junior and 1 senior category winner in every county, as well as 1 overall junior national winner and 1 overall senior national winner. Winners also get to attend a national prize giving ceremony which will be held in January 2025. Check out the lesson plans, resources and competition entry details at https://lnkd.in/dWraWbZ6

Have you had an opportunity yet to read our Strategic Plan 2025-2027? Available on our website https://lnkd.in/eMwYhfbz, this document sets out our high-level objectives and goals for the next three years and is framed by our understanding of Ireland’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who joined us yesterday for #NDAConference2024. A special thanks to our speakers, artists, performers, panellists and chairs! Many thanks also to RTE's O'Rourke Evelyn for covering our event, https://lnkd.in/eBr-Xtbu For anyone who missed out, a recording will be available on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks, https://lnkd.in/e9cepZGs

What an interesting afternoon at #NDAConference2024! Catherine Martin, T.D. joined by video address to spotlight the work the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are undertaking to realise Article 30 #UNCRPD, including making nightlife more accessible for disabled people, funding for inclusive sports, and supports for disabled artists. Our third panel on 'Sport, Recreation and Leisure' discussed initiatives to boost the participation of disabled people in sport, physical activity and outdoor recreation activities in line with Article 30 #UNCRPD. Our fourth and final panel on 'Cultural Heritage, Identity & Tourism, Film and Media' shared their insights on challenges and good practices for diverse areas covered by Article 30 #UNCRPD including Deaf culture, TV and historical sites.

The second panel of the day at #NDAConference2024 focused on ways to promote the engagement of disabled people with arts and culture, as well as enhancing supports for disabled artists. 'Arts and Creativity’ is a central part of Article 30 #UNCRPD. Thank you Feargal O'Coigligh, Secretary General, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Pádraig Naughton, Executive Director at Arts & Disability Ireland; Kieran Coppinger, Actor at Blue Teapot Theatre Company; Petal Pilley, Artistic Director at Blue Teapot Theatre Company; Emilie Conway, Artist and Founder at Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics; and, Peter Kearns, DPO Development Officer at Independent Living Movement Ireland

The first panel of the day at #NDAConference2024 focused on the Marrakesh Treaty, Paralympic sports, cultural rights under EU law, and accessible tourism in Europe in the context of International & Regional Perspectives on Article 30 #UNCRPD. Thank you Colm Ó Conaill, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Jason Smyth MBE, Paralympics Ireland; Professor Delia Ferri, Professor of Lay, School of Law and Criminology Maynooth University; Antoine Fobe, Head of Advocacy and Campaigning, European Blind Union; and Ivor Ambrose, Managing Director, European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) asbl.