Implementation of NDA Strategic Plan will Improve Lives of People with a Disability
Release Date: 11/28/2006
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has launched its third Strategic Plan since its establishment as the national independent statutory body on disability in 2000. The Strategic Plan, which runs from 2007 - 2009, contains some key objectives including the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design by January 2007, advising and monitoring the roll-out of the Disability Strategy and the continuation of the leadership and assistance given by the NDA to public sector organisations on disability issues. The Plan was launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell TD at the NDA Headquarters on Clyde Road, Dublin today 28th November.
The Tánaiste said in his speech: “The Government regards the Authority’s Strategic Plan for 2007 to 2009 as a vital building block in the implementation of the National Disability Strategy. The Authority, through the activities set out in this Strategic Plan, will have a very important role to play in supporting the different elements of the Strategy and ensuring the smooth and successful implementation of its objectives.”
The National Disability Authority’s Strategic Plan contains a number of proposals that will continue to improve the lives of people who have a disability by feeding into the Government’s “Disability Strategy”.
The NDA see this Disability Strategy as key for the development of a progressive disability policy and the execution of its different facets will result in the measurable changes needed to better people’s daily lives. The Government’s Disability Strategy is made up of the Disability Act 2005, a multi-annual funding investment programme for specific disability services and the Sectoral Plans from six Government Departments. The NDA will play a key role in the roll-out of the Government’s Strategy through additional statutory functions given to it under the Disability Act.
The establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design one of the functions conferred on the Authority under the Disability Act 2005. This Centre should be operational by early next year and will collaborate with relevant bodies to support the development of standards, education and awareness-raising for those who wish to achieve excellence in universal design practice.
“The challenge now for all of us including the state, voluntary sector and the private sector is to work together in order to maximise the impact of the National Disability Strategy ensuring that it makes a real and sustainable difference in the lives of thousands of people with disabilities”.
The Strategic Plan that the NDA has published today marks a new era for disability in Ireland. We have seen such important changes in attitudes and policy during the period of the NDA’s existence that we expect even more exciting transformations during the period 2007 - 2009,” said Ms. Kerins.
The National Disability Authority compiled the Strategic Plan through consultation with a range of Government Departments, other statutory agencies, disability groups and staff of the Authority. Twenty-nine submissions were received from the consultation process prior to the compilation of the Strategic Plan following from notices taken out in the national press, local radio and on the NDA’s website.
ENDS.
You can view the Strategic Plan here.