Chairperson's Statement

I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the National Disability Authority for 2010 to the Minister for Justice and Equality. The National Disability Authority is the independent, national advisory body to the Minister on disability issues and universal design and this report outlines its activities.

The current economic difficulties have impacted on the lives of people with disabilities. The National Disability Authority has worked to support the achievement of continued progress under the National Disability Strategy. The work of the National Disability Authority included:

• a comprehensive policy advice paper to the review of the operation of the Disability Act 2005
• the publication of Guidelines for Accessible Maritime Passenger Transport
• the completion of a significant comparative study of disability services in six jurisdictions which fed into the National Disability Authority's policy advice paper to the Department of Health and Children's Value for Money and Policy Review of HSE-funded Disability Services
• participating in the HSE's Working Group on Congregated Settings (residential institutions)
• supporting and advising public sector bodies in meeting their accessibility obligations under the Disability Act, and on the requirement to employ 3% of staff with disabilities
• raising awareness of universal design with key stakeholders from industry, business and education; holding the second 24 Hour Design Challenge in Ireland; and a key European conference
• the production of key outcome indicators to measure the practical impact of the National Disability Strategy on the lives of people with disabilities and
• the development of an eLearning tool to provide Disability Equality Training to public sector staff
• year also marked the 10^th anniversary of the National Disability Authority's establishment on 12 June 2000. The National Disability Authority will be publishing another document that outlines the origins of the National Disability Authority and reflects its work and achievements during the first decade of the 21^st century.

In March 2010, the National Disability Authority launched its fourth Strategic Plan covering the three years from 2010-2012^[1]. The Strategic Plan reflects the priorities of those stakeholders with whom the National Disability Authority engages. The priorities are therefore focused on:

• support to implement the National Disability Strategy
• advice to promote independence and the quality of daily life for people with disabilities
• promoting an accessible environment and Universal Design
• building the National Disability Authority's capacity to deliver on its strategic goals

As for many others in the public service 2010 was a challenging year. There were further reductions in staff. To this end much of the focus during the year was placed on ensuring flexibility of resources and on the appropriate deployment of skills, across the organisation to effectively and efficiently deliver the remit of the National Disability Authority. Emphasis was also placed on achieving further efficiencies and value for money throughout all operations.

I would like to thank the officials in the former Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs for their support throughout the year; in particular the staff of the Disability Equality Unit (later the Disability Policy Division), as well as the staff of the Financial Shared Services unit and the shared IT services. I would also like to thank those groups which provided advice and oversight on individual projects.

In the Annual Report 2009, I paid due tribute to the members of the previous Authority. I take this opportunity to thank the current Authority for its work during its first full year in office, and also the members of the Finance and Audit committees.

I would like to recognise the dedication, enthusiasm and expertise of the National Disability Authority staff throughout its first decade. I have no doubt that they will continue to work committedly to provide quality information and advice to Government to guide policy and practice for people with disabilities.

Peter McKevitt
Chairperson
National Disability Authority