Note on Engagement with Persons with Disabilities and DPOs

If you’re a Government or public sector official this paper will explain everything about disability stakeholders in Ireland as well as the growing role of Disabled Persons’ Organisations.

Disabled Persons’ Organisations are organisations that are led by people with disabilities. These organisations are rooted in the principles and rights of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Our 'Note on Engagement with Persons with Disabilities and DPOs' paper outlines the obligations that the Government and public bodies have when consulting with disabled people as well as advice on how to engage with Disabled Persons’ Organisations.

Working Paper on Engagement with Disabled Persons' Organisations

This working paper highlights good practice in relation to engagement with Disabled Persons’ Organisations. It also uses what we learned from research and commentary from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This was used to make recommendations to the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding the engagement and participation of persons with disabilities.

In the 'Working Paper on Engagement with Disabled Persons' Organisations', we advise the need for the development of a sustainable infrastructure to facilitate meaningful participation and engagement with people with disabilities. The paper also highlights what is needed to establish this infrastructure.

Disabled Persons’ Organisations and their participation in implementing and monitoring the UNCRPD

Our research report on Disabled Persons’ Organisations and their participation in implementing and monitoring the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is based on a review of international literature on Disabled Persons’ Organisations.

It includes a review of General Comment No. 7 and other documentation from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The main point of our research report was to:

  • Explore the nature of Disabled Persons’ Organisations and their participation in the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • Highlight any issues around the participation of Disabled Persons’ Organisations in regard to the legislation and policy processes required to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • Examine the factors that will foster participation from Disabled Persons’ Organisations and disabled people
  • Give examples of how the participation of Disabled Persons’ Organisations would bring value and meaningful changes in terms of getting the rights and full societal participation for those with disabilities