The Disability Act, 2005 - Ireland
Overview
The Disability Act, 2005 is an Irish law designed to promote equality and improve the lives of people with disabilities. It ensures that public services are accessible and that people with disabilities have the right to the support they need to participate fully in society.
Key Provisions in Simple Terms
1. Access to Public Services
- Government departments and public bodies must make their services and buildings accessible to people with disabilities.
- This includes providing information in formats like Braille, large print, or audio if needed.
2. Complaints and Appeals
- If a person with a disability feels they’ve been unfairly treated or denied access to a service, they can make a complaint.
- An independent officer (called a Complaints Officer) will review the case.
3. Assessment of Needs
- People with disabilities have the right to an assessment of their health and educational needs.
- Based on this assessment, they should receive a statement outlining the services they are entitled to.
4. Employment in the Public Sector
- Public organizations must aim to have at least 3% of their workforce made up of people with disabilities.
5. Accessibility of Public Buildings
- New public buildings must be designed to be accessible. Existing buildings may need upgrades to meet accessibility standards.
Important Dates
- The law was enacted in 2005 and has been implemented in stages since then.
- Some provisions, like accessibility requirements, had deadlines for compliance in the years following the law’s introduction.
This explanation is a simplified summary of the Disability Act, 2005. For the full legal text, you can refer to the official document here: