Reply - Q31 UN Convention of Disability Rights

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 12, 2021

QUESTION NO. 31

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the chief executive for a report into how SDCC are meeting there requirements under the UN Convention of Disability rights and to ask would he consider holding a day conference to discuss issues and look at ways for them to be dealt with , with intereted persons with a disbility amd there supports , council staff and elected members

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council supports the call by disabled people and their allies for Ireland to fully implement the UN CRPD and adopt the associated Optional Protocol.

There are 50 articles in the UN CRPD which deal with a diverse range of issues most of which relate in varying degrees to the role and remit of a local authority. Four articles which have particular significance for the Council are:

Article 9 – Accessibility

Article 19 – Living independently and being included in the community

Article 21 – Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information

Article 30 – Participation in Cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport

South Dublin County Council has been committed to access and equality since the Council was established in 1995 and in 2013 the main County Town Tallaght was awarded an EU Access City Award Special Mention for the accessibility of its facilities and services. The Council is also committed to meeting its responsibilities under all relevant legislation including the Disability Act 2005, particularly section 26 (access to facilities and services), section 27 (procurement of accessible goods and services) and section 28 (access to information and communication), and appointed a Disability Liaison, Access and Equality Officer in 2006 to provide support and guidance in this area. Evidence of the Council’s deep commitment to access and inclusion for disabled people includes establishment of the South Dublin County Disability Advisory and Consultative Panel, installation of Changing Places toilet facilities in County Hall and North Clondalkin Library, the innovative Jobot’s Access All Areas accessibility game, and delivery of a significant programme of access works across the County.

The following are examples of how the Council is currently meeting its responsibilities under the UN CRPD:

South Dublin County Council is the first local authority in the State to become JAM Card© friendly.

The Land Use, Planning and Transportation Directorate who is responsible for enforcement actions promoting responsible road and street use and parking, did not remove any public accessible parking spaces in order to accommodate pedestrian social distancing or parklets.

The Housing, Social and Community Development Directorate is currently partnering Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) in ‘Making Inclusion a Reality’ which is a project to build the capacity of local disabled people to engage with their local Housing Disability Steering Group (HDSG). The project is funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).

SDCC is a literacy friendly local authority, for example, our current Corporate Plan achieved NALA plain English accreditation. All COVID-19 health and safety Standard Operating Procedures and associated documents were plain English, access and equality proofed.

Braille and tactile way finding signage is provided across the County including in County Hall, Civic Offices Clondalkin, South Dublin Libraries and community facilities such as Tallaght Stadium and the community centres.

Audio Frequency Induction Loops (AFILs) for those who are hard of hearing have been installed at most of our customer service points and the Irish Remote Interpretation Service is available in County Hall and Civic Offices Clondalkin.

ISL interpretation is provided for meetings such as the County Disability Advisory and Consultative Panel, the SDC LGBT+ Network and other public events / announcements so that members of the deaf community can participate.

A significant range of access for disabled people (both as spectators or participants) is provided across the County in venues such as Rua Red County Arts Centre, Civic Theatre Tallaght, Tallaght Stadium, Tallaght and Clondalkin Leisure Centres and within our parks. For example:

Inclusive playspaces programme delivered across the county.
Clondalkin Round Tower Visitor Centre: Although the actual Round Tower is not accessible, a high level of access is provided within the Visitor Centre and gardens. Disabled visitors’ mobility and sensory access needs are met through interactive multimedia exhibits, tactile exhibits, ramps, accessible toilets, literacy friendly text, AFILs for people who are hard of hearing and the use of highly scented plants for a sensory experience in the gardens.
Changing Places toilet facilities have been installed in County Hall and North Clondalkin Library. The new Lucan Swimming Pool, and the upgrade of Tallaght Stadium will also include installation of Changing Places facilities.
The council participates in both the Operation Enable’ and ‘Make Way Day’ campaigns.

In April 2019 the council supported the County Disability Advisory and Consultative Panel to host a morning seminar exploring how to implement ‘the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event took place in the Council Chamber, County Hall.

At present significant and widespread consultation is taking place with regard to writing Ireland’s UN CRPD implementation report, and the civil society generated shadow report. A seminar / webinar (depending on COVID-19 regulations), exploring the two UN CRPD implementation reports, and how individuals can participate in actions to address issues raised within them will be included in the SDC National Accessibility Week 2021 programme of actions. The Week will take place from Monday 29 November to Monday 6 December 2021.