The lives of people with disabilities will be "greatly improved" with the implementation of a new three-year strategy from the National Disability Authority (NDA), its chairwoman said yesterday.
Angela Kerins said the strategy, published yesterday, would bring "exciting transformations during the period 2007-2009".
"This strategic plan . . . contains some key objectives including the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design by January 2007, advising and monitoring the rollout of the disability strategy and the continuation of the leadership and assistance given by the NDA to public sector organisations on disability issues," she said.
The NDA, which advises the Government on policy and the co-ordination of services to people with disabilities, was established in 2000. It is the lead statutory authority on disability policy.
Under this strategy, it will prepare codes of practice for public bodies on making buildings accessible and monitor compliance on employment targets for people with disabilities in the public sector.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, speaking at the launch yesterday, said the plan was a "vital building block in the implementation of the National Disability Strategy".
An NDA spokeswoman said the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design should be operating "by early next year".
