Opinion: We will refuse to allow disabilities to hamper inclusiveness

WHILE there are no specific statistics on the numbers of people with disabilities in Ireland, it is estimated that 10 per cent of the population of Europe - 38 million people - have a disability.

This Government recognises that everyone has a right to participate in society and deserves to be treated equally regardless of disability.

There are many ways that these rights can be protected and promoted.

Since 1997, the Government has, through my department, enacted a range of legislation - including the Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the Equal Status Act, 2000 - which provide protection against discrimination to people with disabilities who are working or want to work.

This protection also extends to the provision of goods, facilities and services.

The Acts provided for the establishment of the Equality Authority and the Office of the Director of Investigations.

The Equality Authority can be contacted by the public for information in relation to equality legislation.

The National Disability Authority Act, 1999, provided for the establishment of the National Disability Authority which is a statutory agency dedicated to disability policy and practice.

I am proud to say that this legislation places Ireland ahead of many other member states in the European Community.

I also look forward to the Disabilities Bill which is being prepared by my department. It is designed to advance and underpin participation in society by people with disabilities.

In the past services for people with disabilities were provided separately from those for other citizens. This did not encourage an inclusive society and added to the barriers that already existed.

Thankfully, Ireland has moved on from that stage following the launch of the new mainstreaming policy by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in June, 2000.

This means that services for people with disabilities will be provided alongside those for everyone else. So, for example, if a person with a disability is interested in working they contact FAS, the national training and employment authority.

Comhairle, an independent information service for all citizens, was established in June, 2000.

It provides information and advice on social services and supports people in exercising their rights to those services - including services targeted at people with disabilities.

Comhairle operates through Citizen Information Centres at local level. It also provides information on equipment and the design of buildings and accommodation for people with disabilities.

The introduction of the mainstreaming approach has meant that benefits - including financial support - is available for employers who are pro-active in taking on people with disabilities.

It also encourages employers to look beyond disability and fill job vacancies - an issue which is not to be ignored during times of reported labour shortages.

People with disabilities also need a platform through which to express their needs. The Government has recognised this by providing funding and assisting people with disabilities to elect their own representative organisation - People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI) Ltd - which operates through Disability Networks at county level.

I would encourage people with disabilities to join PwDI.

Significant other changes have been achieved over the last few years.

Transport has long been a problem area affecting an individual's freedom to get to work, to avail of education/training, to partake in social activities or to meet other basic needs most citizens take for granted.

In 1997, there was not a single bus in Dublin which was accessible to people with disabilities.

Today, 25 per cent of the Dublin Bus Fleet is wheelchair accessible and it is aimed to increase this by at least 60 per cent by the end of 2006. We also have a commitment from Dublin Bus to never again purchase wheelchair inaccessible buses.

The Government introduced a special education plan in November, 1998, which provides automatic support for many children with disabilities.

This plan has so far provided over 500 resource teacher posts and 1,700 special needs assistant posts to cater for children in special schools, special classes and in mainstream primary schools.

A budget of pounds 2.2 million has also been provided for the purchase of specialised equipment by schools catering for children with special needs.

The budget for health and personal social services for people with disabilities has been increased from pounds 25 million in 1997 to pounds 120 million this year.

Government services and departments are also committed to ensuring that 3 per cent of their workforces are people with disabilities. Although Ireland has come a very long way in a short time I know that more remains to be done.

I believe that this can be helped by ensuring that people are more aware of disability issues.

The year 2003 will be very important in this regard as there is a proposal to nominate it as the European Year for People with Disabilities.

The Special Olympics will be hosted by Ireland that year also.

The basis for a more inclusive and vibrant future for Ireland has already been put in place.

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