Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Rehabilitation International - RI

Ireland

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 National Rehabilitation Board, Ireland
No reply was received from the Government of Ireland.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by general legislation. The following benefits are guaranteed, though only partially, by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling and financial security. No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted, since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment requiring that public places - only new buildings and major extensions in existing buildings - are made accessible. There are no standards requiring that the outdoor environment, means of public transportation or housing are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority, by local governments and by the constructor. No measures have been promoted by the government in order to facilitate accessibility in the built environment. There are special transports for persons with disabilities, available for medical treatment and education. The most difficult factors, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors, economic/budgetary factors, lack of planning and design-capacity, lack of co-operation from other organizations/institutions and lack of enforcement mechanism. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people has no officially recognized status, is not used as the first language of deaf people and is not recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are no government measures to encourage media to make their information services accessible to persons with disabilities. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape and sign language interpretation, being available for major events.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is no national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at both the national, regional and local level. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judicial authorities, political parties and to a great extent in NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, contribute to public awareness and to provide services.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or any similar body.

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