Part I

2.0      Approach

Sligo Local Authorities have implemented a number of measures over the last two years to progress their delivery of the Disability Act 2005.  The local authorities also fully comply with equal opportunities legislation.

The measures developed include:

2.1      Access Team

Sligo Local Authorities established the Access Team in November 2006. This team is a cross -functional group that coordinates & oversees implementation of the implementation Plan.  This cross departmental team consists of: 

• SEO Corporate Services
• Grade V1 Corporate Services
• Equality and Staff Welfare
• Access Officer
• Disability Liaison Officer

The role and remit of the Team is as follows:

• Cross-functional group to coordinate & oversee implementation of Strategic Plan.
• Embed the ethos across the entire organisation.
• Review how the organisation is performing in terms of awareness measures, approaches and skills, audits and implementation plans, support structures and staff skills.
• Guide activities within the organisation including the optimal spending of Disability Funding.
• Production of briefs, criteria/guidance for disability proofing, training, access auditing etc.
• Ensure the organisations plans/programmes/decisions are all disability proofed.
• Share skills and strengths to develop organisation’s capacity in the provision of services to PwD.
• Motivate other staff.
• Day to day driver within the organisation.
• Give it a name to help build ownership and identity.
• Canvass those with a disability within the organisation to join.
• Meet monthly & report to Management Team.
• Monitor all aspects of the process & manage consultation, training, planning while liaising with relevant sections.
• Examine areas such as access to; customer services, built environment & ICT.
• Identify actions and targets to improve accessibility.
• Analyse how the organisation has met its targets. 

2.2      Access Officer

Sligo Local Authorities have an Access Officer for the past number of years.  The post at Senior Executive Engineer level involves promoting and introducing access initiatives plus delivering requirements under the Disability Act.

2.3      Inquiry Officer

In accordance with Section 39 of the Disability Act 2005, Sligo Local Authorities have authorised a staff member as an Inquiry Officer to investigate complaints relating to people with disabilities and prepare reports where necessary. 

2.4      Disability Liaison Officer

In November 2006 a Disability Liaison Officer was appointed to liaise with the Training Department to deliver Disability awareness training to all staff and to be a confidential resource for anyone with queries regarding Disability. 

2.5      Disability Awareness Training

Sligo Local Authorities have delivered disability awareness training to the majority of its staff.  Types of training included: Disability equality training, universal access auditing and complaints handling procedures.  This training will continue in the future. 

2.6      Disability Consultative Committee

In January 2006 it was agreed that Sligo Local Authorities establish a Disability Consultative Committee under the auspices of Strategic Policy Committee[1] 4 (SPC4)- Housing, Social and Cultural Policy - that involves elected members, local authority staff, people with disabilities and representatives from Disability Advocacy Groups. It is also proposed to invite representation from the Disability Services Section of the HSE to facilitate better co-ordination of initiatives. Please see below the role of the Disability Consultative Committee.   

Once these key committees and positions were established the Access Audits were conducted (see attached in Part II together with detailed costs associated with all actions).  

2.6.1  Structure of Disability Consultative Committee

The group comprising of 14/15 people from local organizations includes:  

• Elected Representative
• Representative of Intellectual Disability groups
• Representative of Mobility Disability Sector
• Representative of Sensory Disability sector
• Representative of Mental Health Groups
• Representative of Disability Federation of Ireland
• Representatives from PWDI
• Nomination from HSE North West (Disability Services)
• Nomination from Sligo Borough Council Access Committee
• Nomination by Sligo Local Authorities Management Team
• Disability Access Officer Sligo Local Authorities
• Building Control Officer Sligo Local Authorities
• Equality Officer Sligo Local Authorities
• Community and Enterprise Development Officer who is linked to the County Development Board

 The committee meets bi-monthly with a subgroup working on specific areas. 

 2.6.2  Role of the Disability Consultative Committee

Seven areas of activity were envisaged for the Committee when it was established.

These are:

• Advise the Local Authority on policies to improve services
• Make recommendations on disability proofing of policies, projects and actions
• Advise on applications under the National Disability Strategy
• Proof implementation plans prepared under the Disability Act 2005
• Promote inclusion and equality
• Promote co-ordination between service providers
• Make submissions on disability issues to other departments and agencies as appropriate

 2.6.3  Actions of the Disability Consultative Committee

The actions of the Disability Consultative Committee fall into the following categories:

• Disability Proofing
• Advocacy on behalf of people with disability
• Raising Awareness - Information Provision

The following 12 areas of concern were identified as priorities for action over the next two years of operation of the committee: 

2.6.3.1  Disability Proofing

• Input to development of Complaints Procedure for Local Authority
• Input to development of Procurement Policy within Local Authority
• Provide comment on Access to Public Buildings
• Provide comment and observations on outcomes of access audits and selection of priorities for implementation
• Disability proofing of Local & Village Development Plans

2.6.3.2  Advocacy on behalf of people with disability

• Advocate positive discrimination in Employment Policy in the Local Authority and Local Statutory Agencies
• Establish protocols around advocacy between people with disability and the Local Authority

 2.6.3.3  Raising Awareness - Information Provision

• Ensure that information on Local Services is available in accessible format
• Raise awareness concerning disability and Housing and the Residential Environment
• Ensure that the needs of people with disability are considered in pre-planning conditions for building developments
• Urban Parking Spaces - development of strategy in conjunction with the local Authority
• Ensure adequate representation on relevant local bodies.

 3.0      Access Auditing 

Access audits have been completed for the physical environment on all publicly owned playgrounds, sports facilities, burial grounds, buildings, piers, beaches, harbours, roads and footpaths under the management of Sligo Local Authorities – detailed lists of facilities which have been audited are listed in Appendix 1. 

This process involved the appointment of a third party to conduct the audits.  This process had a number of significant benefits to Sligo Local Authorities including: the Local Authorities now had an unambiguous representation of the accessibility of all publicly owned buildings etc.; an ability to plan for the implementation of recommendations from the audits; greater awareness of access needs of disabled within our community; greater awareness among staff members of the needs of disabled people.

4.0  Consultation 

Communications in Sligo Local Authorities regarding the area of Disability have improved substantially over the last two years and it now forms an integral part of Management Team meetings, staff training, procurement policy etc.  The Access Team and Disability Consultative Committee and roles and responsibilities of each group together with the appointment of the Access Office/ Disability Liaison Officer and the Inquiry Officer clearly outline Sligo Local Authorities’ commitment to the full implementation of the Disability Act 2005 by 2015. 

4.1  Information Provision

Publications such as County Development Plan, Corporate Plan, Annual Report and our Contact Magazine are now available in accessible formats.  In consultation with the Disability sector, the Communications Office is continuing to examine ways to provide information and publications in a wide range of accessible formats and mediums.

4.2  Customer Action Plan and Customer Charter

In conjunction with the Consultative Committee the Inquiry Officer has developed a Customer Action Plan and a Customer Charter.  The Customer Charter emphasizes an environment free from discrimination and respect for the customer.  It also refers to our equal status and disability policy.  A complaints procedure has also been established.

Sligo Local Authorities are confident that the commitments shown to date towards the implementation of the 2005 Disability Act are progressing well and that all  persons with disabilities will be able to fully participate in the economic, social and cultural life of the community in County Sligo.

4.3 Monitoring & Evaluation

The teams and systems currently in place which help ensure the implementation of the Disability Act i.e. Access Team, Consultative Committee, Access Officer, Inquiry Officer and Disability Liaison Officer will continue to meet and report on progress on a regular basis where relevant to each other and also to the Management Team.

Sligo Local Authorities are fully committed to continue working with people with disabilities in relation to the monitoring and review of its implementation plan and will produce a yearly progress report which will review the progress of the implementation plan and highlight any areas that may need further attention. These progress reports will feed into the national monitoring regime.

Sligo Local Authorities will continue to develop its ongoing relationship with NDA & Excellence through Accessibility Awards and develop new relationships with relevant organisations as necessary. 

5.0   Prioritisation Methodology

In line with the sectoral plan Sligo Local Authorities have prioritised implementation work with priority being given to local authority buildings and other facilities to which access is most frequently required as well as accessible public footpaths, streets and crossings in urban areas.  Targets and timeframes for carrying out these works are indicated in the Action Plans in Part II. 

Within each audit priority listings were developed i.e.

Priority 1 = Adjustments required as a high priority to remove or avoid barriers to access for disabled people.

Priority 2 = Adjustments to be incorporated in an existing maintenance plan within 24 months of the Assessment date.

Priority 3 = Non-essential works although considered desirable and beneficial.  Incorporate on refurbishment of premises.  A system for prioritising work to be conducted has been implemented. 

Priority has been given to buildings being used mostly by the public and to those actions which were highlighted in the Access Audits as Priority 1.  Facilities which are not directly under the control of the County Council i.e. Waterpoint and Sligo Sports Complex and are managed by a limited Company receive a lower priority than facilities directly under the control of the County Council.

In addition, Sligo Local Authorities is working with local transport operators to develop proposals for improved accessibility of public roads, footpaths, streets and crossings.  Priority will be given to busy town centre sites especially where public transport services some local facility.  Sligo Local Authorities has audited all towns and villages and a list of these settlements is given in Appendix 1 – No. 46.

In conjunction with the Department for Transport and the National Roads Authority our  roads section will be using capital funding to target existing problems and to construct more accessible road and footpaths in towns and villages.

6.0   Excellence through Accessibility Awards

Sligo Local Authorities are being assessed under the Excellence through Accessibility Awards in September 2007.  The assessment will objectively examine the accessibility of services provided by Sligo Local Authorities to people with disabilities in two of its buildings 1.County Hall 2.Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry. 

The National Disability Authority has developed this set of 14 accessibility guidelines and 41 criteria for the Accessibility Award.

The guidelines have been drawn up after extensive consultation with Government Departments, state agencies, voluntary and community bodies and the NDA Standards Advisory Committee.

The guidelines have been structured to take account of three critical areas common to all organisations:

1. Access to Quality Customer Services;
2. Access to the Built Environment;
3. Access to services delivered via Information and Communication Technology.

The guidelines reflect the principle of Universal Access to public services by all current and potential customers.  They will be used in assessing the applications for the NDA Award.

They include:

1. Access to Quality Customer Services

Guideline 1             Commitment

The organisation is committed to improving accessibility to their public services.

Guideline 2              Equality and Positive Action

The organisation ensures that the rights to equal treatment and positive action, as provided for in equality legislation, are met.

Guideline 3              Human Resource Management

The organisation’s Human Resource Management policies, procedures and practices support all steps for improving in the delivery of more accessible services.

Guideline 4              Procurement

The organisation is committed to the procurement of equipment and/or services that, whenever possible, are accessible to all. 

Guideline 5  Customer Service

The organisation ensures that the 12 Principles of Quality Customer Service for Customers and Clients of the public service continue to be implemented.

2.  Access to the Built Environment

Guideline 6              Management of the Built Environment

The organisation regularly reviews and, if necessary, develops and improves the accessibility of its built environment in public access areas.

Guideline 7              External Environment

The organisation takes reasonable steps to ensure an accessible approach to its built environment including, where provided, car parking facilities.

Guideline 8              Vertical and Horizontal Circulation in Public Service Areas

Circulation is as simple as possible for all public service areas.

Guideline 9              Facilities

The organisation has taken all reasonable steps to provide public service areas and facilities that are accessible to the public.

Guideline 10           Interior Design

The interior design of public service areas caters for the needs of as many customers as possible.

Guideline 11           Evacuation

All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that every user of the built environment has appropriate access to a place of safety in an emergency situation. 

3.  Access to Information and Communication Technology

Guideline 12           Communication Strategy

The organisation’s communication strategy is designed, as far as practicable, to accommodate people with disabilities.

Guideline 13           Public Computers, Kiosks and other Public Access Terminals (PATs)

The organisation is committed to achieving conformance with relevant NDA IT Accessibility Guidelines for all computers, kiosks and other Public Access Terminals used by the public.

Guideline 14           Web Accessibility

The organisation is committed to achieving conformance level Double-A with the Web Accessibility Initiative’s (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0.

7.0   Procurement

Section 27 (part 3) of the Disability Act states that “Where a service is provided to a public body, the head of the body shall ensure that the service is accessible to persons with disabilities”.  This refers to both the provision of services and the supply of goods.  Subsection (1) shall not apply if the provision of access by persons with disabilities to any services provided to the body— (a) would not be practicable, (b) would not be justified having regard to the cost of doing so, or (c) would cause unreasonable delay in making the goods or services available to other persons. In this section references to the provision of services include references to the supply of goods. This section shall come into operation on 31 December 2005.

It is the policy of Sligo Local Authorities to ensure that relevant accessibility requirements for people with disabilities are included in all stages of the tender process. The objective of Sligo Local Authorities is to go beyond minimum compliance with legal regulations to achieve a high standard of accessibility for people with disabilities, where it is practical and cost-effective to do so.

Sligo Local Authorities accept that accessibility requirements should be clearly stated in requests for tenders/contracts/quotations where applicable. Staff preparing tenders may need to consult with external advisors and/or people with disabilities in identifying these requirements. Suppliers may be asked to highlight features of their product or service which meets accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. Where there are no accessibility requirements relevant to the goods or services being procured, this should be recorded in a file note.

Accessibility requirements should be given appropriate consideration and weighting during scoring and evaluation stages. Where suppliers are asked to make presentations, accessibility should be an agenda item for such presentations.

8.0   Conclusion

Sligo Local Authorities are and will continue to ensure that this Implementation Plan is fully applied as far resources allow and will regularly review and report on progress to the relevant bodies.  It is anticipated that additional funding will be required in order to conduct much of the work over the next number of years.  Sligo Local Authorities would welcome an opportunity to avail of any additional funding that may come available in order to facilitate the implementation of this plan.

Strategic Policy Committees were set up in the local authorities to develop the policies of the council under various programmes. They include elected councillors and representatives of sectoral interests relevant to the programme concerned e.g. farming, business, trade union and community representatives. They formulate policy proposals, evaluate and report on policy implementation for consideration and final decision by the full council.