A New Approach - New laws on disability and extra funding for disability services have been introduced by the Government.

Disability action plans, called Sectoral Plans, have also been developed. These plans cover vital areas of communications, work and training, health, transport, the accessibility of the environment, local government services and social welfare.

They set out how services will be better and more accessible.

A high level monitoring group representing government departments and people with disabilities is working together to make plans become a reality, keeping people with disabilities at the centre of decisions.

Taken together, these changes make up the National Disability Strategy.

2007 is the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. It is a good year to take a look at the changes that should make a difference to your life.

• Better Public Services
  All public services must provide for the needs of people with disabilities, whether that is getting through the door of a library or getting a leaflet in Braille.
• Individual Assessment
  Children under five with a disability will be entitled to have their disability, health and education needs independently assessed from June 2007. Independent assessments will be in place for everyone with disabilities by 2011.
• Education Services
  Additional resources will be made available for a child who has been assessed to have special education needs.
• Personal Advocate
  People with disabilities who need some extra support to get the services that they are entitled to will be able to apply for a personal advocate.
• Easier Living
  Sectoral Plans on disability will make everyday activities easier, like taking a bus, going to work or making a phone call, for example.
• Work
  There is now a target of 3% for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector.