NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

Draft Disability Action Plan

In compliance with

Section 49 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

as amended by

Article 5 of the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
Room 103/Room 105
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
BT4 3XX

1. Introduction

Under Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) (as amended by Article 5 of the Disability Discrimination ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006), the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is required to have due regard to:

the need to promote positive attitudes towards people with disabilities; and

the need to encourage participation by people with disabilities in public life (‘the disability duties’).

Under Section 49B of the DDA 1995, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is also required to submit to the Equality Commission a Disability Action Plan showing how it proposes to fulfil these duties in relation to the functions for which it is responsible.

2. Confirmation of Commitment

The Assembly Commission is fully committed to the effective implementation of this Disability Action Plan. All necessary resources in terms of people, time and finance will be made available for this purpose. Objectives and targets pertaining to the Commission’s duties in relation to equality and disability discrimination are included in the Assembly Business Plan.

The Commission will ensure the effective communication of the Disability Action Plan (‘the Plan’) to all staff and will provide training and guidance for staff in relation to their responsibilities. The Commission will put appropriate internal arrangements in place to monitor compliance with the Disability Action Plan. The Commission will submit an annual report to the Equality Commission on the implementation of the Disability Action Plan and will carry out a five yearly review of the Plan.

The points of contact in relation to the implementation, review and evaluation of this Disability Action Plan are:

Name:	Tony Logue	Cathy McGowan
Title:	Clerk to the Assembly Commission	Assistant Clerk
Address:	Room 103 Parliament Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX	Room 105
Telephone Number: Textphone Number: Fax Number: Email:	0044 28 9052 1992 0044 28 9052 1209 / 9052 1992 0044 28 9041 8340 disability@niassembly.gov.uk

The Assembly’s Disability Action Plan will be made available in an alternative format (such as in large print, in Braille, on audio cassette, easy read or on computer disc) and/or language on request.

3. Functions of the Assembly Commission

The primary function of the Assembly Commission is to provide the Assembly, or ensure that the Assembly is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Assembly to carry out its work.

The Commission’s responsibilities do not include:

the work of the Assembly as a legislature and scrutinising body; or

the functions and work of the Northern Ireland Executive, Ministers or Departments.

4. Consultation

The Assembly Commission considers it essential to consult with interested parties and people with disabilities to ensure that the Assembly’s Disability Action Plan is relevant to their needs. Unfortunately the short timescale between the establishment of the Commission following the restoration of the Assembly on 8 May 2007 and the statutory deadline of 30 June 2007 for the submission of the Action Plan to the Equality Commission, made this impossible. It is therefore the intention of the Commission to carry out a comprehensive consultation exercise during the course of the coming months and to take the comments submitted into account in the annual review of the Action Plan. In so doing the Commission will aim to develop good working partnerships with people with disabilities and those who work on their behalf.

It should be noted that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission consulted with the major disability organisations, namely, RNIB, RNID and Disability Action in 1999. This audit process informed the implementation of physical changes to the building associated with the introduction of the DDA 1995. These are listed in Section 7.

The Commission is committed to carrying out all consultations in an open, timely and inclusive manner and in accordance with the guiding principles set by the Equality Commission and other bodies working in the field of disability.

5. Review

The Assembly Commission confirms its commitment to submitting an annual progress report on the implementation of this Action Plan to the Equality Commission and to carrying out a five-year review of this Plan.

A copy of this Plan, as well as the annual progress reports and the five year review report will be made available on the Northern Ireland Assembly website at: Review

The Assembly Commission confirms its commitment to submitting an annual progress report on the implementation of this Action Plan to the Equality Commission and to carrying out a five-year review of this Plan.

A copy of this Plan, as well as the annual progress reports and the five year review report will be made available on the Northern Ireland Assembly website at: www.niassembly.gov.uk

6. Public Life Positions

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission does not have any control over public life positions. It is the intention however to establish an informal group consisting of representatives of people with disabilities, to assist with the consultation process.

7. Previous Measures

Outlined below are the key measures, which the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission has already taken to promote positive attitudes towards people and to encourage the participation of disabled people in public life.

7.1 Promoting positive attitudes towards disabled people

Disability Review Team

In anticipation of the legislative changes, the Assembly’s Strategic Management Board established a Disability Review Team to act as a centralised focus group to discuss and exchange information, advice and material. The Team is also responsible for agreeing a common approach to gathering information and proposing actions to meet the legal obligations of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Discrimination ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

Communication and Education Programmes

The Commission has ensured that all its publications can be made available in alternative formats including large print, Braille and audio cassette. Work is ongoing to bring the website up to W3C ‘A’ rating. Currently most of it would achieve ‘AAA’ rating. The website is currently Browsealoud enabled.

Education Programme presentations and materials are tailored to meet the needs of all participants including people with learning disabilities.

Training and Guidance for Staff

An Equal Opportunities Awareness training programme involving all staff was carried out between 2003 and 2006. It provided information about the Disability Discrimination legislation and the roles and responsibilities of staff under that legislation. The process for contracting for more specific training in relation to the statutory duties contained in the Disability Discrimination ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006 has been initiated by the Personnel Office.

35 Door-keeping (frontline) staff, as part of their induction programme have attended training on Emergency Evacuation for Disabled Egress. The training covered diversity, legislative compliance, disability awareness and appropriate disability etiquette.

Recruitment

The Assembly’s recruitment programme ceased during the period of suspension from October 2002 to May 2007. Following the restoration of the Assembly on 8 May 2007, a substantial programme of recruitment commenced. Best practice is applied to all Recruitment and Selection procedures operated by the Assembly. The options of receiving applications in alternative formats and the facilitation of special needs are available to all applicants. Additionally, as the assessment and selection process proceeds through the various stages, reasonable adjustments will be made to meet the needs of applicants with disabilities.

Monitoring

While applicants are invited during the recruitment process, to declare any disability they may have, the Assembly is aware that current staff may develop disabilities, or wish to declare existing disabilities, during the course of their employment. For this reason an annual disability audit has been carried out each year since 2003. Staff are invited to declare any disability so that reasonable adjustments can be made to facilitate them within the workplace.

7.2 Encouraging the participation of disabled people in public life

Access to Parliament Buildings

The physical changes made to Parliament Buildings to ensure compliance with the disability discrimination legislation facilitates access by those with disabilities who wish to participate in the democratic process by, for example, serving as an MLA, making representations to elected representatives, observing Committee meetings, viewing Assembly procedures in the Assembly Chamber etc.

In 1999 the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission commissioned some of the major disability organisations in Northern Ireland to carry out accessibility surveys of Parliament Buildings. In line with the recommendations of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, a full accessibility audit was carried out by Construction Service in February 2000. In December 2001, Construction Service was commissioned to provide the necessary professional services and to present options for the implementation of the audit recommendations. The Assembly Commission gave approval to proceed with the majority of the recommendations and work on these was completed in February 2006.

Disabled access to Parliament Buildings is via the East or West entrances. All six floors are fully accessible to wheelchair users. There are disabled parking spaces in the Upper East and Upper West car parks. Visitors can use these spaces by arrangement.

Access to the Debating Chambers

Wheelchair access is available to the ‘front bench’ area of the Commons Chamber and Senate Chamber. There is a limited amount of access for wheelchair users to the public galleries in the Commons Chamber.

Lifts

The lifts in Parliament Buildings have been refurbished to comply with current standards for use by wheelchair users. An additional lift has also been installed to provide access to the Front Door Reception Area and Shop.

Signage

Some signage was provided as part of the recent DDA compliance project. There are current plans to provide additional signage, particularly in the parts of the building most frequented by visitors.

Induction Loop Systems

The Debating Chambers, Great Hall, Long Gallery and Committee Rooms are fitted with induction loop systems.

In addition, ‘deaf alerters’ are available for persons with hearing difficulties to use in the event of a fire alarm being sounded.

Toilets for people with disabilities

The toilets suites on each floor in Parliament Buildings include toilets which have been designed for use by people with disabilities.

Committee Office

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee Office has developed a policy to facilitate witnesses with special needs at Committee meetings within Parliament Buildings.

8. Action Measures

Outlined below are the current measures, which the Assembly Commission proposes to take over the period to 31 March 2010, together with targets. It should be noted that the Commission may vary or add to these measures as appropriate to meet changing needs.

	Measures	Timescale	Performance Indicators/Targets
8.1	Commitment
8.1.1	The Assembly Commission will establish an informal group consisting of representatives of people with disabilities, to assist with the consultation process.	Sept 2007	Informal group established.
		Sept 2007	Consultation Strategy developed.
		Sept 2007	Consultation Strategy approved by Assembly Commission.
8.1.2	Identify barriers faced by people with disabilities in participating in public life in relation to any function which is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission.	Dec 2007	Full consultation exercise undertaken in a range of mediums to ascertain the views of interested parties.
		Feb 2008	The views of interested parties published and considered as part of the annual review process.
8.1.3	Identify opportunities for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission to promote positive attitudes towards people with disabilities.	Dec 2007	Full consultation exercise undertaken in a range of mediums to ascertain the views of interested parties.
		Feb 2008	The views of interested parties published and considered as part of the annual review process.
8.1.4	Amend template for screening policies under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to include a question relating to the disability duties.	Dec 2007	Revised screening template developed.
8.1.5	As part of the policy development process, to assess the implications for the disability duties when carrying out screening in accordance with the Equality Scheme.	June 2008	Policy review carried out in line with Section 75 requirements.
8.2	Service Delivery
8.2.1	Ensure that disability duties are incorporated into planning, policies, processes and practices and that these are adequately resourced.	Jan 2008	Staff training on disability awareness delivered to all secretariat staff.
		As required	Consideration of new duties identified in future Section 75 screening exercises.
8.2.2	Ensure that all activities conform with relevant disability codes of practice, statutory guidance and best practice approaches consistent with those of other designated public authorities.	Dec 2007	Objectives relating to the duties contained in the Disability Discrimination ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006 included within corporate business plan.
		June 2008	Copy of first year review of Disability Action Plan to take account of best practice approach.
8.2.3	Ensure that all contracted providers used by the Secretariat are committed to ensuring equality of access for people with disabilities and can demonstrate, as a minimum, compliance with the Disability Discrimination legislation.	Dec 2007	All Procurement processes updated in line with new duties.
		Dec 2007	Specialised training for Directors/Heads of Business on new duties.
8.2.4	Ensure that the specific needs and views of people with disabilities are taken into account in future corporate and business planning exercises.	March 2008	Disability Equality built into all business and budget planning processes.
8.2.5	Encourage the involvement and representation of disabled people in future consultation exercises.	Oct 2007	Consultation Strategy developed and approved by Assembly Commission
8.2.6	Ensure that new duties are taken into account when designing any future educational programmes.	Sept 2008	Educational programme revised in line with new duties.
8.2.7	Ensure that Parliament Buildings is accessible to all Members, visitors and staff with disabilities.	Ongoing	Review of consultation responses.
		Annually	Responses to annual disability audit for staff.
		Dec 2007	Development of Customer Feedback system.
8.3	Training and Development
8.3.1	Provide all staff with awareness training in duties and responsibilities under the DDA 1995 and update as required.	Ongoing in 2008	Training completed for all staff.
		Dec 2007	Training presentation and support material used during exercises.
8.3.2	Review Induction process to promote positive attitudes of people with disabilities.	Dec 2008	Induction process reviewed and updated in line with new duties.
8.3.3	Develop the AssISt intranet system as an information and training tool to improve disability awareness.	Dec 2007	Development of dedicated pages on intranet relating to disability issues.
		Quarterly	Copies of articles and information posted on the intranet system.
8.3.4	Provide specialist training for staff as necessary.	Dec 2007	Specialist training provided to all relevant staff.
8.3.5	Use the Assembly’s house magazine, “Assembly Lines”, to raise awareness of disability issues.	As appropriate	Inclusion of articles on disability awareness matters included in future copies of the magazine.
8.4	Recruitment and Selection
8.4.1	Ensure disability issues are taken into account in all recruitment procedures.	As appropriate	Specialised training provided to staff dealing with recruitment matters.
8.4.2	Ensure that job opportunities are available to applicants with disabilities.	As required	All applicants invited to identify assistance required as a result of their disability.
8.4.3	Ensure that successful job applicants who need adaptations and support within the working environment are facilitated.	Ongoing	Physical arrangements in place to facilitate applicants with disabilities.
		Ongoing	Interpretation facilities available on demand.
		Ongoing	Copies of corporate literature available in alternative formats.
8.5	Communication
8.5.1	Ensure that visitors who need support are facilitated within Parliament Buildings.	Ongoing	Requests and details of actions recorded and implementation monitored.
		Dec 2008	General needs identified through consultation process.
		Ongoing	Pre visit consultation includes identification of needs due to disabilities.
8.5.2	Ensure that all customer information is provided in relevant format/s.	Ongoing	Corporate literature available in alternative formats.
		Annually	Needs identified on an ongoing basis and through the annual disability audit.
8.5.3	Ensure equality of access for staff for all ICT services	As appropriate	Requests and action taken, documented.
8.5.4	Include in the Assembly’s External Communications Strategy, an objective to specifically communicate to individuals with disabilities and their representatives, information about the operation of the Assembly.	Dec 2007	Inclusion of this objective in the Assembly’s External Communications Strategy.
8.5.5	Continue to maintain accessibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly website at AA level and to ensure that it is Browsealoud enabled.	Ongoing	Standards maintained.
		March 2008	Measures to ensure compliance with best practice identified and implemented.
8.5.6	Review Internet site to ensure accessibility by members of the public and internal staff.	Ongoing	Demonstration of compliance with Northern Ireland Equality Commission guidance on accessible website design.
8.5.7	Include photography in corporate publications and within our Internet and intranet systems using positive imagery of people with disabilities accessing Assembly services.	Sept 2008	Inclusion of positive imagery on corporate publications.
8.5.8	Clear public statement and commitment within Annual Report and Corporate and Business Plans to encourage participation by people with disabilities within the Northern Ireland Assembly.	Sept 2008	Copy of statement included in Annual Report and Corporate and Business plans.
8.5.9	Proactively target disability organisations to highlight the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly.	Ongoing	List of Disability Organisations targeted and detail of methods used.
		Ongoing	Networks and working relationships with key business partners working in the field of disability, established.
		June 2008	Review of Action Plan.
8.6	Monitoring and Reviewing
8.6.1	Review the operation of existing services in conjunction with people with disabilities and their representatives to identify any barriers to access for this group.	Jan 2008	Development of customer feedback systems.
		Monthly	Assessment of customer feedback.
8.6.2	Ensure that, where possible, disability monitoring information is collected in respect of users of the Assembly’s services.	Oct 2007	Monitoring system established.
8.6.3	Measure the Assembly’s performance against Action Plan targets and take appropriate action where these targets are not met.	Quarterly	Monitoring report produced quarterly and actions taken.
8.6.4	Conduct an annual review of Disability Action Plan for approval by the Assembly Commission and for submission to the Equality Commission.	June 2008	Annual Review produced and approved by Assembly Commission.
		June 2008	Annual review submitted to Equality Commission.
8.6.5	Produce a five-year review of the Disability Action Plan in conjunction with the five-year review of the Northern Ireland Assembly Equality Scheme, for approval by the Assembly Commission and for submission to the NI Equality Commission.	June 2012	Five year review produced and approved by Assembly Commission.
		June 2012	Five year review submitted to Equality Commission.

 

9	Communication Arrangements
9.1	The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission will identify appropriate methods of communicating this Action Plan to people with disabilities, including learning disabilities, within Northern Ireland.
9.2	Information about the Action Plan will be highlighted on the Assembly website, in publications and through direct communication with key organisations working in the field of disability.
9.3	All Secretariat staff will receive a copy of the Disability Action Plan and it will also be posted on the Assembly Intranet.
9.4	A copy of the Disability Action Plan, the Annual Review and the Five Year Review will be made available on the Assembly website at: www.niassembly.gov.uk

Signed by

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly