Evaluation of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network

In 2020 the Department of Justice and Equality set up a Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN) to facilitate participation by persons with disabilities in the policy development process.

In November 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) requested that the National Disability Authority (NDA) carry out an independent evaluation of the DPCN model to determine the extent to which it achieves the aims and expectations of such a mechanism in light of UNCRPD obligations, advice from the UN Committee through general comments (in particular General Comment No. 7), as well as having due regard for international practices.

The report concludes that the design of the DPCN, which consisted of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) other non-DPO organisations and individuals was not aligned with the requirements of the UNCRPD and that it created practical challenges for the operation of the DPCN, particularly in the area of consultation. The report recommends that:

• a mechanism consisting of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) only is established through a process of co-creation with DPOs
• DPOs are supported to develop their capacity to input into policy design and monitoring processes
• Departments and state agencies need to improve their understanding of their obligations under the UNCRPD to consult with people disabilities and the role of different stakeholder groups in consultation processes
• consideration will need to be given to how the voices of seldom heard people with disabilities (children and young people, people with intellectual disabilities people with dementia for example) can be included in policy discussions.