External Disability Advisory Group

7 December 2022 at 11am (Room 30, Parliament Buildings and via ZOOM)

 

In attendance

External Disability Advisory Group Members

In Person:

  • Paula Beattie – Royal National Institute of Blind People – (RNIB)
  • Joanne Sansome
  • Stewart Finn - MS Society
  • David McDonald - Disabled People’s Parliament
  • Amanda Paul - Disabled People’s Parliament
  • June Best - Disabled People’s Parliament

Virtual:

  • Rhona McAuley - Cedar Foundation
  • Andrew Murdock - Guide Dogs
  • Orla McCann - Disability Action
  • Kiely Lawlor - Autism NI

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Staff

  • Maria Bannon, Equality Manager (Chair)
  • Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk, Parliamentary Services
  • Janet Robinson Assistant Assembly Clerk, Engagement Team
  • Christine Watts, Environment and Health and Safety Manager,Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
  • Karen Martin, Deputy Head of Human Resources
  • Marina McConville, Education Officer
  • Trevor Allen, Senior Assistant Assembly Clerk, Parliamentary Services
  • Eoin Curran, Web Content Manager - Communications
  • Liz Milligan, Equality & Good Relations Officer

Apologies

  • Kevin Harper - Deaf Access NI
  • Agnes Lunney - Positive Futures
  • Claire Maguire - Public Engagement Manager, Engagement (NIAC)
  • Ursula Marshall - Disabled People’s Parliament

 

1. Opening and update:

1.1 The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all to Parliament Buildings including virtual attendees via Zoom. 

 

2. Parliamentary Services Clerking and Member Support Office (CAMS)- Sign Language Pilot Project

2.1 The Group was informed that a review of the Sign Language Pilot project had been provided to the Secretariat Management Team (SMT).  A studio facility for interpreters was being considered which would facilitate a signed Question Time to be streamed.  It was noted that a sign language Policy, Sign Language Interpretation of Plenary and Committee Business was undergoing equality screening and would be provided to the Equality Unit.

 

3. Education Service - update on work to increase the participation of special schools in the Assembly’s Education Programme

3.1 Disability Action Plan 2022-2025 actions relevant to the Education Service was discussed. The Education Service informed the Group of an event that had taken place in November 2022 for teachers from special schools.  Fourteen participants attended and were welcomed by the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.  The aim of the event was to seek views from teachers on what could be improved in the Programme currently delivered to special school pupils.

3.2 It was noted that feedback from attendees was positive and it was agreed that a network would be established to continue communication and discussion about development of the Programme and resources for special schools.

3.3 The Group was advised that subtitling of all animations and signing of video animations were now available alongside full transcripts on the Education Service website and that work was progressing with CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) to further consider accessibility. 

3.4 It was also confirmed that consultations undertaken by the Education Service, for example in relation to a Bill or Inquiry issue, include a special school in the cohort.

3.5 Ms Best advised that she would like to see a young people’s disabled parliament. The Engagement Office advised that was being considered and also there were young disabled people in the Youth Assembly.

Action: Education Office staff involved in the Youth Assembly to be invited to the next meeting of EDAG.

 

4. Engagement Office - update on Disabled People’s Parliament and International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022

4.1 The Engagement Office advised that the Disabled People’s Parliament was held in the Senate Chamber on Friday 2 December 2022. In addition to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, there were 5 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA’s) representing parties from Sinn Féin, Alliance, the UUP, DUP and SDLP.

4.2 Mr McDonald advised that the event was a good opportunity to meet younger MLA’s and overall felt it had been a worthwhile experience.  He felt that the MLA’ s listened to all concerns raised.

4.3 Ms Best felt that it was a very positive experience with good participation and it provided plenty to build upon going forward.

 

5. Communications Office - update on website and intranet accessibility including published documents

5.1 The Communications Office advised that over the summer months, work had been completed to refresh the Assembly website pages. Revised accessibility statements for content were made available on-line.

5.2 The group were informed that guidance on accessibility for staff in the structuring and creating of documents had been created. Work on Wordpress microsites began over the summer period and included evaluating accessibility and creating bespoke accessibility statements.

 

6. Building Services - update on the review of current parking arrangements and progress on installation of beacons within toilet areas

6.1 Building Services advised the Group of a recent access audit which had taken place in Parliament Buildings and included active projects such as larger parking spaces and beacons inside the toilets.

6.2 Building Services staff had also accompanied a recent visit to the Building (arranged by the Engagement Office) to hear views and suggestions on how access could be further improved. The limitations of the lifts within the Building, in relation to accessibility for larger motorised wheelchairs was discussed by the Group.

 

(Zoom link was lost at this stage of the meeting for those attending virtually.)

 

7. Review of the External Disability Advisory Group (EDAG)Terms of Reference

7.1 The Chair advised that the EDAG terms of reference had been issued out with a condensed purpose and aim.  It was noted that the overall aim remains the same and as when the group was first established in 2009. 

7.2 Mr McDonald raised an issue of an individual member being referred to as a disability activist in the terms of reference.  He outlined that all members were disability activists. The Chair outlined that organisations and groups which members represented was recorded and this member was an individual member and not part of an organisation.

 

8. AOB

8.1 The name of the Assembly Quiet Room in Parliament buildings was discussed and it was asked if the name could be reviewed. It was agreed that this would be considered. However, the Group was advised that the Quiet Room (including the room title) was an integral part of the Assembly’s Autism Initiative and accreditation and as such, it would be unlikely to change.

 

Date of next meeting

To be arranged approximately June 2023