Disability Matters Committee to discuss the rights-based approach and disability legislation with the National Disability Authority

Representatives from the National Disability Authority – Dr Aideen Hartney, Director, Dr Rosalyn Tamming, Head of Policy, Research & Public Affairs and Dharragh Hunt, Senior Policy Advisor – will appear at the meeting.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “We welcome the opportunity to hear from the National Disability Authority 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)."

“The UNCRPD applies a rights-based definition of disability which posits that it is the interaction of an impairment with barriers in society that causes a disability."

The NDA advises the importance of disability equality training across the public sector to ensure those delivering services and supports are familiar with this model and how distinct it is from a medical model and that agencies disability-proof their approach and carry out consultation to service provision from the outset in order to allow for consideration of how their policies and practices will impact on disabled people.”

“We look forward to hearing progress on how progress is being implemented and the current gaps within the system.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.