The National Disability Authority delivered a full work programme in 2010 under the first year of our current three year Strategic Plan. The focus of our work has been on supporting continued implementation of the National Disability Strategy; independent living in the community; and promoting the accessibility of goods, services and places, in particular through the principle of universal design.
A major suite of work for the year was the Authority's policy advice to the Department of Health and Children's Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services. This was informed by a programme of research, and by consultation with individuals with disabilities and others at the frontline. This work identified policies and systems that could deliver better quality of life outcomes for people with disabilities, using available funding to best effect.
2010 marked the tenth year of the National Disability Authority. Over this decade, the NDA has been an important resource to advise and guide the Minister, Government Departments and state agencies in delivering inclusive services, and in promoting inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in Irish society. Our work on transport, the built environment, IT accessibility, employment, housing, health and social services, has helped to guide on practical improvements and policy direction across key issues affecting the quality of daily life of people with disabilities. Our work on universal design is breaking new ground.
Our advice and guidance is informed by research evidence, and by engagement with people with disabilities. The National Disability Authority takes the learning from on the ground experience and the contributions of the many who participate in our seminars, workshops and conferences.
The National Disability Authority's way of working is one of collaboration and partnership, developing a shared understanding about disability, and practical measures to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities. Constructive partnership with individual Departments and state agencies has enabled the National Disability Authority to give strategic advice and guidance where it is required. The development of Guidelines for Accessible Maritime Passenger Transport, working in partnership with the Department of Transport, with marine transport operators and with disability organisations is an example of this in practice in 2010. The National Disability Authority also partnered with the HSE's Crisis Pregnancy Programme on research on pregnancy for women with intellectual disabilities.
Through membership of various working groups and committees, National Disability Authority staff work to ensure that the disability perspective is incorporated in deliberations and to identify practical solutions. The National Disability Authority input to the HSE Working Group on Congregated Settings in 2010 was informed by National Disability Authority research on quality of life in the community versus in institutions, and in dispersed rather than in clustered settings.
2010 was also a year in which we moved from under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs. Thanks to the staff of the National Disability Authority and staff of both Departments, the transfer was managed efficiently and with great ease - we were grateful for the support from all those involved.
Conscious of the challenging economic climate that the country is experiencing and the need to ensure value for money, the National Disability Authority worked to achieve efficiencies in operations as committed in our Action Plan under the Public Sector (Croke Park) Agreement. I am grateful in particular to the Efficiency Group comprising National Disability Authority staff which helped pinpoint areas where the National Disability Authority could achieve savings.
Partnership, shared working, and shared services are also important in maximising the impact of scarce resources of staff and money, in the challenging economic climate. Our payments, payroll and IT systems avail of the Department's shared services.
The public sector moratorium on recruitment has presented challenges but despite significantly reduced staffing levels, 2010 was a productive year for the National Disability Authority. The staff delivered a full work programme demonstrating flexibility, commitment, high levels of performance and initiative in the shared goal to help shape policy and practice that can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
2010 was also the first full year for the current National Disability Authority Board. I would like to pay tribute to the Chairman and members of the Authority for their strategic guidance and wisdom in guiding and overseeing our work. Finally, I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the staff of the National Disability Authority who have each contributed to the successful delivery of our 2010 work programme.
Siobhan Barron
Director