Foreword
This report is one in a series which presents research commissioned by the NDA in 2002 to provide baseline evidence on the quantum and range of service provision. In commissioning this series, we found strong concurrence across all the policy areas that there were large data gaps. We have established where those gaps are most evident. We hope that it can assist in setting priorities for data strategies, service planning and policies for the equal treatment and inclusion of people with disabilities in Ireland.
In the policy document “Building a Future Together”, the report of the Establishment Committee (1998), a commitment was made to review the impact of mainstreaming which is now overdue. In the area of further education, employment and training, a series of reviews have been undertaken on service provision since the onset of mainstreaming. However, this research has found that progress has been slow, and the lack of “joined up” service provision and effective interdepartmental working has resulted in ongoing gaps in service provision.
It is clear that much of the policy work to date has been framed from the policy maker’s perspective with poor estimations of impact. It is imperative to frame policy from an individual perspective and to aggregate information from the individual to the regional/national perspective so that accurate estimates can be made regarding the potential costs and impact of proposed policy actions on the lives of people with disabilities.
I thank each of the researchers who worked with us on this series and supported the NDA in undertaking this important work, and the cross functional teams within NDA who had to progress the drafts towards conclusion. The priorities set out in the overview of this document are set to appear in our policy work over the next three year period under the second strategic Plan 2004-2006 -“Progressing the Disability Agenda in Ireland”.
I would like to acknowledge the support of the Disability Equality Unit in the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, without whose support this work would not be possible. I would also like to mark the encouragement of our Authority members who recognised the value of publishing this important report.
Angela Kerins
Chairperson
National Disability Authority