NI Ministers announce extension of Disability Strategy

Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Michelle McIlveen have announced the Executive’s Disability Strategy will be extended until the end of March 2017.

The Junior Ministers commented: “The Disability Strategy aims to give people with disabilities the opportunity to participate, contribute and benefit equally from society. It provides a focus for governmental policy to drive improved service delivery, increase awareness and improve opportunities for people with disabilities. Responsibility for delivery on the strategy sits across all departments however, in our role as Junior Ministers we are committed to co-ordinate and represent disability issues in the Executive.

“Since the strategy’s publication in February 2013 government has taken forward a number of actions to improve the lives of people with disabilities. This extension to the strategy will ensure that focus remains, and give additional time for priority areas in the strategy to be progressed.

“We will continue to work closely with departments, the sector and people with disabilities to take forward the strategy. The extension is our commitment to continuing to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities in our community. It is through genuine partnership and collaboration that we will be better placed to deliver public services that meet their specific needs.”

The extension will have the additional benefit of providing adequate time to consult on and develop a new strategy.

The Strategy is entitled ‘A strategy to improve the lives of people with disabilities’ can be accessed at the OFMDFM website