People with Disabilities in Ireland > Areas of Action

Disability Legislation Consultation Group

Disability Legislation Consultation Group DLCG was formed after the Disability Bill was pulled out in 2001. The Group's main job was to talk to and seek advise from their members on what are the key areas for disability legislation.

DLCG is made up of umbrella groups and organisations in the disability sector. National Disability Authority supported the Group and acted as a secretariat.

DLCG believes that people with disabilities should have same rights as everybody else.

"Equal Citizens" report gives the summary of what DLCG thinks is important and should be included when new disability law is written.
Read the full text of the Equal Citizens Report here
Download Equal Citizens in PDF format.

Equal Citizens: Right and provisions that should be written into law

Independent needs assessment and service coordination

The needs of a person with disability should be assessed independently.
There should be a Statement of Needs that is based on the independent assessment.
People with disability should have a right to services that are based on the independent needs assessment and Statement of Need.
Disability Support Service should be set up by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.

Advocacy

People with disabilities should have a right to advocacy services.
All types of advocacy should be available in all settings.
Independent advocacy agency should be a part of Disability Support Service.

Mainstreaming

People with disabilities should be able to take part in society and different activities just like everybody else.
Equal participation should be written into law.
Every public body should have a plan on how to help people with disabilities take part.

Accessibility

Everybody should be able to use public and private services.
Accessibility has to be guaranteed by law.
This includes
- physical -for example entering buildings or using trains and buses
- information - for example paper based letters or websites have to be in a format that visually impaired person can understand
- communications - for example Irish Sign Language should be an official language of the state
Accessibility must have highest priority and it must be put into practice in an acceptable timeframe.

Disability Awareness/ Equality Training

There must be disability awareness training so that people will know about the rights, needs and contribution of people with disabilities.
Raising awareness of disability in Irish Society must be written into law. It has to be given within equality framework.
All public and private bodies who provide services to the public have to give their staff disability awareness training.

Public Service employment

3 per cent of people who work for public and civil service should be people with disabilities.
New actions must be taken so that the 3 per cent target is reached.
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform should be responsible for monitoring and enforcing this.

Questions asked in the Dáil in relation to disability and disability legislation.