-
Housing and the Environment
New Internal Layout Checklist for Universal Design Homes
Press release: 11 June 2025
-
Participation in Society
NDA Communications and Engagement Strategy 2025–2027
-
Participation in Society
Summary Report: NDA Annual Conference 2024
Promoting the participation of disabled people in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport in Ireland – UNCRPD Article 30.
-
Annual Financial Statements
The National Disability Authority is obliged to prepare and publish Annual Financial Statements annually.
-
Accessibility
NDA Monitoring Reports on compliance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the national monitoring body for the purposes of the EU Web Accessibility Directive. We are required to produce a report annually.
-
Participation in Society
Disability, Diversity and Identity in Ireland’s Local and European Elections 2024
This research sought to explore the experiences of disabled candidates who identified as holding intersecting identities and who stood in the Irish local and European elections in 2024. It was conducted by researchers in University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin.
-
Overview of the NDA review of the Children’s Disability Network Team service model
We have been commissioned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to conduct a review of the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) service model. This is action 2.17 in the HSE Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026.
-
Transforming Disability Services
Participant Information Leaflet: Children’s Disability Network Team service model review
We have been commissioned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to conduct a review of the Children’s Disability Network Team service model.
-
Transforming Disability Services
Literature Review on determining appropriate caseloads and workloads for Children’s Disability Network Teams
-
Literature Review on the prioritisation of referrals in interdisciplinary teams
-
Transforming Disability Services
Literature review on the calculation of the optimal frequency and intensity of therapeutic intervention within children’s disability services
-
Employment
Final Review of Progress under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (2015-2024)
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES) was a cross-Government approach to addressing the barriers the employment of disabled people. With the CES coming to an end in 2024, the NDA has produced a comprehensive final review of progress under the strategy.
-
NDA Submission to Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Statement of Strategy 2024-2025
-
NDA Submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to inform the development of the new National Strategy for Women and Girls.
-
NDA Submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disabliity, Integration and Youth on the successor to the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
-
NDA Submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on Moving towards Rights-Based Disability Impact Assessments
-
NDA Submission on Statement of Strategy 2024 – 2025 for Department Enterprise, Trade and Employment
-
NDA Submission to Coimisiún na Meán concerning the Draft Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
-
NDA Submission to Coimisiún na Meán concerning the Draft Audiovisual On-Demand Media Service Code & Rules
-
NDA Submission to Coimisiún na Meán concerning the Draft Access Rules for Television Broadcasting Services
-
Background Paper - Realising Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Ireland’s journey from wardship to supported decision-making
Providing wider context to the NDA’s ongoing research examining the process and the experiences of people leaving wardship, the NDA has prepared a background paper on Ireland’s journey from wardship to supported-decision-making viewed through the lens of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
-
Justice, Equality and Addressing Violence and Abuse
Participant information for wards of court research
We are conducting a research study on 'The journey from wardship to supported decision-making: An examination of the process and the experiences of people leaving wardship'.
-
Participation in Society
NDA Annual Conference focuses on improving the widespread participation of disabled people in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport in Ireland
Press Release: 23 October 2024
-
Strategic Plans
The National Disability Authority publishes a new Strategic Plan every three years. Our Strategic Plan 2025-2027 was launched in October 2024.
-
Participation in Society
NDA Annual Conference 2024
The 2024 NDA Conference focused on ‘Promoting the participation of disabled people in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport in Ireland – UNCRPD Article 30.'
-
Children
Literature Review on the Factors that Lead to Development of Behaviours that Challenge and Prevention and Management of Crisis Situations among Children and Young Adults (CYA) with Disability
We commissioned researchers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College Dublin to conduct a literature review on the causes, prevention and management of crisis situations among young disabled people.
-
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
Minister of State Anne Rabbitte T.D. joins Galway Primary School pupils to launch annual Someone Like Me Art Competition
Annual Someone Like Me Art Competition Launch
-
Effective Practice documents related to deinstitutionalisation
The transition of persons with disabilities living in congregated settings to smaller homes in the community is ongoing as part of the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings policy.
-
Annual Reports
The National Disability Authority is obliged to prepare and publish Annual Reports annually.
-
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions: European Disability Card
The European Disability Card will serve as proof of ‘disability status’ or of entitlement to specific services based on a disability across all EU countries.
-
NDA Submission to the Consultation Paper on the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code
We thank the Central Bank for the opportunity to make a submission after previously making a submission to the Discussion Paper in April 2023.
-
NDA Submission to the Department of Justice on draft Regulations concerning legal aid costs in discharge applications under Part 6 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (as amended)
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to input on the development by the Department of Justice of draft 'Regulations concerning legal aid costs in discharge applications under Part 6 of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (as amended).'
-
Social Protection
NDA submission on Green Paper on Welfare Reform in Ireland (April 2024)
Within this submission the NDA advise significant changes to the draft proposals contained in the Green Paper.
-
Consultation on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Strategy Statement 2025-2027
NDA's contribution to IHREC's Strategy Statement 2025-2027.
-
NDA Submission to SETU Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Plan 2024-2029
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to input to the consultation to inform the development of South Eastern Technological University (SETU’s) EDI Strategic Plan 2024–2029.
-
Justice, Equality and Addressing Violence and Abuse
NDA Submission on Courts Service Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
The NDA advises that the new Courts Service Strategic Plan 2024 –2027 align with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other relevant national strategies and policy commitments, including those relevant to disability.
-
Employment
Discussion paper on new disability employment targets
This technical paper sets out the National Disability Authority’s (NDA) advice on the setting of new national employment targets for disabled people.
-
NDA Submission to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on “The role of disabled persons organisations and self-advocacy in providing equal opportunities under the UNCRPD”
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to input on the Joint Committee’s public consultation on “The role of disabled persons organisations and self-advocacy in providing equal opportunities under UNCRPD”.
-
Experience of sexual harassment and sexual violence by disabled students in Irish Higher Education Institutions (2021)
This report conducts secondary analysis of the National Survey of Student Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions
-
Ethical Guidance for Research with Disabled People
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has updated its guidance on research with disabled people (2024).
-
Children Social Protection
NDA Submission to the Department of Social Protection on a National Child Poverty Target
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to contribute a submission on the development of a new child poverty target in Ireland
-
Participation in Society
Submission from the National Disability Authority to the Electoral Commission’s Draft Research Programme
The National Disability Authority (NDA) welcomes this research programme and looks forward to engaging with the Electoral Commission on some of the issues being covered. The electoral landscape has changed significantly in recent years and so there are many new developments for the Commission to consider.
-
Participation in Society
Evaluation of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network
The NDA’s Independent Evaluation of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network.
-
"I don’t know where to start”: Survey respondents’ views about barriers to participation in social and leisure activities
In 2022 the National Disability Authority conducted a National Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey. The main survey findings were published in January 2023 and are set out in the: How’s it going? Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey Report. (1)
-
Climate Action Roadmap
The NDA's Climate Action Roadmap has been designed in line with the Government's Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23).
-
Accessibility
Monitoring Report on Access Officers
26(2) of the Disability Act requires public bodies to appoint an Access Officer and promote the details of this.
-
Participation in Society
NDA Annual Conference 2023
NDA Conference 2023 was titled 'Guaranteeing the equal participation of disabled people in political and public life in Ireland (UNCRPD Article 29)'
-
National Disability Survey Written Submission Template
Closing date for submissions now Friday 2 February, 2024
-
Housing and the Environment
Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities
The NDA is generally supportive of sustainable and compact growth as set out in the consultation paper, and the benefits it can bring, in particular for older and disabled people in having improved access to public transport and local services and living and remaining in their own communities as they move through the different stages of life
-
Guidance for conducting collaborative research with people with disabilities
We have developed guidance for researchers on collaborative research. This was informed by a literature review and a series of consultations.
-
NDA Submission on Statement of Strategy 2024 – 2026 for Department of Justice
The NDA recommends that the Department of Justice include clear commitments in this new Statement of Strategy with regard to how services and supports within its remit will be provided to members of the public with disabilities. A clear statement confirming the Government’s policy of ‘mainstreaming’ and referencing how the Department of Justice will recognise and meet the needs of disabled persons when delivering services is a useful approach. This will require the department to disability-proof the policies and supports it provides, thereby also ensuring that the Department of Justice is playing its part in the delivery of the State’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
-
NDA Presentation to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, September 2023
We presented to the members of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the development of a UNCRPD Implementation Strategy.
-
Literature Review of Disability Payments
This literature review on examines various systems of disability payments internationally and in Ireland.
-
NDA Opening Statement: Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, February 2023
The National Disability Authority (NDA) thanks the Chair and the members of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the opportunity to present on the topic of Employment Strategy and how persons with a disability in the work place are impacted.
-
National Disability Authority Presentation to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, April 2023
The National Disability Authority (NDA) presented to the members of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on the importance of a rights based approach to disability matters, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
-
NDA opening statement: Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism, May 2023
The National Disability Authority (NDA) thanks the Chair and the members of this Committee for the opportunity to present on the topic of accessibility of the public realm for people with autism.
-
NDA written submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, Jan 2023
The National Disability Authority (NDA) thanks the Chair and the members of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media for the opportunity to make a written submission on the topic of local and community arts, specifically on the subject of Arts and Disability.
-
National Disability Authority Presentation to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports & Media, May 2023
The National Disability Authority (NDA) thanks the Chair and the members of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports & Media for the opportunity to submit this written submission on the development of local and community arts, as relevant to disability.
-
Employment
NDA Independent advice on the provision of Career Guidance in schools for learners with disabilities in Ireland
This policy paper sets out the National Disability Authority’s (NDA) advice on the delivery of an effective career guidance experience for all learners with a disability, including those with special education needs while at school.
-
Participation in Society
NDA Submission to the Central Bank Consumer Code Review
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has provided answers to selected question within our competency areas.
-
Health and Social Care Participation in Society
NDA Submission on the draft Patient Voice Partner Policy for the Irish Public Health System
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the draft Patient Voice Partner (PVP) Policy for the Irish Public Health System, which will have significant relevance to disabled people.
-
Education
NDA Submission to the EPSEN Act 2004 Review
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Review of the EPSEN Act, 2004
-
Justice, Equality and Addressing Violence and Abuse Participation in Society
NDA Submission on the Review of Civil Legal Aid
Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in March 2018. The UNCRPD provides the framework to promote, protect and ensure the rights of all persons with disabilities and promotes equal rights in all areas of life.
-
Housing and the Environment
NDA Submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
This submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 addresses issues related to this Department’s remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
NDA Submission to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on their Statement of Strategy 2023-2026
This submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2026 addresses issues related to this department’s remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
Education
NDA Submission to the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science Statement of Strategy 2023-2025
This submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2025 addresses issues related to this department’s remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
NDA Submission on Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
This submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 addresses issues related to this Department’s remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
Children Justice, Equality and Addressing Violence and Abuse
NDA Submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Statement of Strategy 2023-2025
Survey Questions with regard to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
-
NDA Submission to the Officer of the Revenue Commissioner’s Statement of Strategy 2023-25
This submission to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on the Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2025 addresses issues related to its remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
Health and Social Care Social Protection
NDA Submission to the Department of Social Protection on their Statement of Strategy 2023-2026
The NDA recommends that the Department of Social Protection include clear commitments in this new Statement Strategy with regard to how services and supports within its remit will be provided to members of the public with disabilities.
-
NDA Submission on the Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Rural and Community Development
The NDA recommends that the Department of Rural and Community Development includes clear commitments in this new Statement of Strategy with regard to how services and supports, within its remit, will be provided to members of the public with disabilities.
-
Employment Transport
NDA Submission on Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
NDA recommends that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment include clear commitments in this Statement of Strategy with regard to how services and supports within its remit will be provided to members of the public with disabilities
-
Participation in Society
NDA Submission to Dublin City Council Sports Plan 2023-28
Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018. Sport is addressed in Article 30: participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. The UN notes the important role that sport plays in promoting the social inclusion of persons with disabilities
-
Participation in Society
NDA Submission to the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life
Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018. Article 29 sets out the framework for persons with disabilities’ participation in political and public life and stipulates that state parties shall “guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on equal basis with others
-
Transport
“NDA Submission to the NTA on consultation on potential changes to the license conditions for public bus passenger services with regard to accessibility”
-
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
Annual Listening Session 2023: Article 8 Awareness Raising
Summary report of the National Disability Authority (NDA) annual Listening on the the theme of Article 8 of the United Nationals Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
-
Assistive Technology
A user-centred exploration of the assistive potential of Digital Voice Assistants and Internet of Things
-
Assistive Technology Children Education
Assistive Technology for Supplementary Reading Instruction for Children with Disabilities
-
Review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS)
The Wage Subsidy Scheme aims to enable disabled people to become self-sufficient in the open labour market by encouraging private sector employers to hire people with disabilities
-
Health and Social Care Social Protection
NDA Submission to Department of Social Protection on Changes to Social Welfare Regulations
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the regulations governing social welfare appeals proposed by the Department of Social Protection.
-
Accessibility Housing and the Environment
Draft Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings
The public consultation on the draft Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings is now closed. Thank you to all who provided feedback. Your feedback will inform further development of the draft Code of Practice for Accessible Public Buildings and the monitoring indicators. The draft Code of Practice and the monitoring indicators will be presented to the NDA Board for sign off in Autumn 2023. The Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings will then be provided to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for approval as a statutory instrument, after which it will be published. Following publication, the NDA will commence monitoring of this new Code of Practice. If you have any queries regarding the Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings, you can email us at nda@nda.ie or phone us at +353 (0) 1 6080 400
-
Health and Social Care
NDA Submission to Department of Health on Regulations for Providers of Home Support Services
-
Employment
NDA Submission to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on proposals to enhance the Companies Act 2014
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on proposals to enhance the Companies Act 2014. We have responded to one of the four consultation questions outlined by the Department in relation to Corporate Governance, and have included an additional point in relation to alignment of the Companies Act 2014 with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
-
Health and Social Care
Narrative Analysis of Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Consultations
Consultation held January 2023 Published May 2023
-
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
ESRI publish NDA funded report, Experimental tests of public support for disability policy
Press Release: 19 April 2023
-
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
Experimental Tests of Public Support for Disability Policy
Most people support policies that favour disabled people, but some conceal negative attitudes
-
Opening Statement to Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism on the topic of services and supports provided by the state for autistic people, March 2023
-
Housing and the Environment
NDA Submission to the Housing Commission Public Consultation
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has answered selected questions in line with our competency areas.
-
Employment
NDA Submission to the Department of Social Protection on the Mid-Term Review of Pathways to Work 2021-2025
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Mid-Term Review of Pathways to Work 2021-2025 and address issues related to the Department of Social Protection’s remit which fall within the NDA’s competencies and expertise.
-
Education
Literature Review of Career Guidance for Learners with Disabilities in Second Level Education
-
Transport
NDA Submission to Dublin City Council Active Travel Network- interim cycling infrastructure 2023
-
Employment Social Protection
NDA Submission to the Department of Social Protection on the Pay-Related Job Seekers Benefit
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Strawman for a Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit Scheme. Of particular interest to the NDA is how this Strawman proposal will inform the direction of travel for future Social Protection policy changes, and how it will impact on the lives of persons with disabilities.
-
Participation in Society
'How’s it Going?' National Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey.
This report describes the findings from the National Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey.
-
Children
NDA Submission to the Policy Framework for the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision making
The NDA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the next Government Policy Framework for the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making.
-
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
A literature review of methods used to measure attitudes towards disability
-
Health and Social Care
The Care of Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Age-Related Conditions
-
Report on the Operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (December 2021)
The National Disability Authority (NDA) was asked to prepare the first report to the Government on the operation of the ISL Act in 2021.
-
Employment
NDA Annual Reports on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act
Reports from 2006 in English and Irish detailing how many people with disabilities work in the public sector.
-
Employment
Review of Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005
-
Access Handbook Template: A Tool to Help Manage Accessibility of the Built Environment
The purpose of this Tool is to provide a simple way of listing and explaining the features and facilities of a building, which must be maintained and/or improved in order to ensure access for everyone.