National Disability Strategy Consultation Report

Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018, committing to promote the human rights of all disabled people in Ireland. The new National Disability Strategy will seek to provide a blueprint for further realisation of the UNCRPD. In line with the ethos of the UNCRPD, the consultation focused on identifying actions and solutions to address challenges and barriers to participation in society faced by disabled people.

Throughout the course of the consultation, the NDA regularly shared emerging findings with DCEDIY to help inform the ongoing development, approach and content of the new National Disability Strategy.

The consultation was underpinned by principles of participation and aimed to be a genuine, accessible, and transparent process which meaningfully engaged with disabled people. During the consultation the NDA and DCEDIY proactively sought and gave due consideration and priority to the opinions and views of DPOs. Specific DPO contributions are noted in this report for easy identification and consideration by policy makers as part of the strategy development process.[1] Issues and areas identified as key priorities by DPOs and other disability stakeholders during engagements with DCEDIY in 2023 were used to inform, facilitate, and guide the consultation questions.

In addition to DPOs, people with disabilities and other disability stakeholders including families, parents, carers, and disability organisations were targeted and actively encouraged to participate in the consultation. Marginalised and seldom heard-from groups, such as disabled children and people with significant support needs were specifically included. Acknowledging the intersectionality of disability with other identities[2], women, migrants, Travellers, and members of the LGBTQI+ community were specifically targeted for consultation. A range of consultation activities were organised to allow different stakeholders choice in how they could engage. Consultation events were held at various times of the day, and during weekdays and the weekend.

Disability stakeholders engaged in consultation activities including:

• 34 focus group discussions involving 211 participants,
• 18 interviews with disabled individuals,
• Four large consultation meetings in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and online, including 166 attendees,
• 81 written and 4 video submissions from DPOs, disability organisations, individuals, and other interest groups,
• A national survey completed by 484 disabled people or carers, family members and supporters of people with disabilities.

Qualitative and quantitative data were collected across consultation activities. Data were analysed to identify the challenges, barriers, actions, and solutions raised by consultation participants.

The purpose of this report was to summarise the breadth of the contributions made and the solutions suggested by a wide range of disability stakeholders. Unfortunately, it will not be possible for all contributions to be included in a new strategy. However, this report is an extremely valuable record of the concerns and suggestions of Disabled Persons’ Organisations, disabled people, their families, service providers, civil society organisations, advocacy bodies and carers. While the key purpose of this document is for use in developing the new NDS, we encourage stakeholders to use this report to inform reporting ahead of Ireland’s first examination under the UNCRPD, to shape the national disability research agenda and government policies, and to inform other government strategies and action plans more generally. When considering the recommendations in this report, we encourage people to be inclusive of children, young people and adults with disabilities, and those with intersectional identities. We look forward to the new NDS, informed by this report, that will promote the human rights of all disabled people in Ireland.

[1] Please note that in addition to this national consultation there was ongoing direct consultations between DCEDIY and DPOs that are not captured in this report.

[2] Individuals with disabilities may belong to multiple different racial, ethnic, gender, or socioeconomic backgrounds. These intersecting identities can influence their experiences and the types of challenges and barriers they encounter.