Overview
This is an overview of Enniscorthy's Access for all
Accessibility isn't purely physical access it is anything that hinders a persons ability to interact in society.The term 'disability' covers a wide range of circumstances including, physical disability, mobility issues, sensory, hearing and visual impairments, cognitive difficulties including specific learning difficulties and also mental health issues.
Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005 places significant responsibilities on public bodies to make their buildings and services accessible to people with disabilities, while Part 5 of the Act gives a statutory basis to positive action measures for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector.
Additionally, the Local Government Sectoral Plans set out national objectives and guidelines for access to critical areas of service for people with disabilities. The Plan is geared to developing services that encourage maximum participation in society.
Local Government Sectoral Plan
LegislationDisability Act 2005
Equality Act 2004
Equal Status Act, 2000
Employment Equality Act, 1998 S.I. No. 163 of 2006
Disability Act 2005 (Code of Practice) (Declaration) Order 2006
Wexford Local Authorities Plan of Action 2007 - 2015 Accessibility Audit To carry out Accessibility Audits and to identify what remedial actions are necessary to make buildings or facilities accessible.Wexford County Council early in 2007 engaged Consultants, Capita Symonds to carry out accessibility audits of all public buildings, parks, amenities and open spaces, towns and villages, heritage sites, public libraries and harbours within the local authorities? control.
Audits were completed in August of 2007, copies of the Audits are now available for viewing through the Library Service.
Implementation Plan
To prepare an Implementation Plan to cover the period from 2006 to 2015. This plan sets out a prioritised work programme based on the actions and recommendations of the Audits.
The final draft of the plan was made available for public consultation in January 2008. The Final Plan was adopted by Council in July 2008 as a working document which would be reviewed and updated annually.
Access to Information
In early 2008 a service review was carried out the outcome of which sets out arrangements for providing information to the public to ensure that, as far as practicable, communications are provided in a form that is accessible to people with disabilities. Resources have been made available to provide information in different format on request, i.e. Braille, Audio, Large Print and Sign Language interpretation.
Complaints
Ensure that procedures required in relation to complaints under Sections 25,26,27,28 and 29 of the Disability Act 2005 are in place. A Complaint Procedures and a review by the Ombudsman will be available in any case where the access required is not provided for.
The procedure for complaints and complaints forms are available in the Customer Services Action Plan, copies of which can be found at all main reception areas.
Customer Service Action Plan.
The County Secretary has been authorised to perform the functions conferred on an Inquiry Officer by section 39 of the Disability Act 2005.
Contact details ;
Mr. Niall McDonnell County Secretary,
County Hall,
Wexford, 053 9176260,
e-mail: ger.griffin@wexfordcoco.ie
Procurement
The Procurement Policy and Procedures ensures that accessibility requirements are specified in tender documentation and associated criteria for selection of successful tenders. Wexford County Councils Procurement Policy and Procedures have been updated and reviewed to ensure accessibility.
Employment
Wexford County Council carry out annual reviews on the progress in relation to the 3% employment target. The 2006 National Disability Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 on the employment of people with didisabilitiesn the Public Service noted that the number of employees with a disability in Wexford County Council was registered at 3.2%.
Policies and Procedures
Wexford County Council is geared to developing services that encourage maximum participation in society. The review of our policies, procedures and practices which took place early in 2008 put in place systems which support all necessary steps for improvement in the delivery of more accessible services.
Our Corporate and Annual Plans will actively promote measures in relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Disability Awareness Training
Ensure the availability of disability awareness training for all relevant staff, including senior management, technical staff, access officers, inquiry officers, disability liaison officers and other staff responsible for implementing the provisions of the Disability Act 2005.
234 staff from all grades participated in Disability Awareness Training up to December 2007.
107 staff from various grades participated in Awareness and Specific Disability Training in the year 2008.
Training is ongoing with the 2009 training programme presently at development stage.
Consultation
Implement effective consultation and liaison arrangements with other relevant bodies and representative organisations to facilitate access by people with disabilities.
To support consultation and liaison arrangements the following structures are in place;
· An Accessibility Steering Group
· Town Access Focus Groups in each electoral area. (4 in total)
· Access Representatives within Sections who act as an information resource to customers and colleagues alike in relation to accessibility issues.
· Content coordinators within sections to ensure data input on the web takes account of accessibility issues.
· An Access Officer with the role to coordinate monitor and review policies and procedures in relation to accessibility, the Disability Act 2005 and the Sectoral Plan
· An Inquiry Officer
These structures in place ensure that the awareness and commitment to accessibility/disability remains firmly embedded in the organisation and it services.
Further information is available from:
Helen Brady,
Town Development Officer,
Enniscorthy Town Council,
Market Square,
Enniscorthy,
Co. Wexford
053-92-33540
For further information on
Wexford County Council's Access Policies & Procedures