COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2019

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive if he would give a report on the efforts being made to implement the Council's Disability Policy; will he appreciate the strong support for such efforts and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities under all relevant legislation and policy including:

• The Disability Act 2005, particularly Part 3 - section 26 (access to facilities and services), section 27 (procurement of accessible goods and services) and section 28 (access to information and communication),
• Irish Sign Language Act 2017
• Equal Status Acts 2000 - 2015
• Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2015
• Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014
• National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021
• National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities 2011 – 2016 (re-affirmed under ‘Rebuilding Ireland’, the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, and extended to 2020 to deliver on its aims)

We are also committed to working with, and within, the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

SDCC 2019 actions to meet our responsibilities under the legislation / policy listed above include:

• Council policies and plans equality, access and plain English proofed on an ongoing basis;
• Planned participation in Operation Enable day of action to promote responsible parking and the legal use of the EU Disabled Persons Parking Card;
• Planned participation in Make Way Day of action to promote safe pedestrian access, free from obstacles such as wheelie bins, advertising boards, temporary street furniture and vehicles on pavements;
• ‘Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN CRPD)’ Seminar, to take place in County Hall on Thursday, 4 April 2019;
• Programme of access awareness raising events and activities during National Accessibility Week 2019;
• Provide ongoing secretariat support to the South Dublin County Disability Advisory and Consultative Panel;
• Templeogue access audit and provision for associated works - €30,000 provided;
• Access audit of Council buildings and provision for associated works - €30,000 provided;

• Changing Places accessible toilet facility included in the design for Lucan Swimming Pool;
• Changing places accessible toilet facility to be installed in County Hall;
• Provision of the Vehicle for Change mobile changing places facility at Council events;
• Autism friendly actions within South Dublin Libraries;

• Full time Disability Sports Inclusion Officer appointed;
• Ongoing implementation of the Council’s Literacy friendly Action Plan;
• Ongoing implementation of the SDCC Housing Strategic Plan for Disabled People.