Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has launched the consultation on the Executive’s Disability Strategy, a key part of his drive to increase participation and inclusion for Deaf and disabled people.
The cross-departmental Strategy seeks to increase and enhance life opportunities with improved access to work, health and social care, transport, education, sport, arts and leisure activities.
Speaking in the Assembly today, Minister Lyons said:
“This Strategy will be the next step in our journey towards a fully inclusive society where Deaf and disabled people are able to live their lives with freedom, dignity and choice.
“One in four people in Northern Ireland experience some form of disability. The draft Strategy will tackle the major inequalities and obstacles that affect the everyday lives of Deaf and disabled people along with our Disability and Work Strategy and the Sign Language Bill.”
The Strategy sets out a series of commitments, including a Regional Disability Forum to advise on the monitoring and implementation of the strategy, a review of disability legislation, including how to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the legislative framework; and the publication of an annual Disability Data compendium.
The Minister added:
“The draft Strategy has been developed with the full involvement of Deaf and disabled people along with representative groups. I’d like to thank everyone for their invaluable contribution.
“It is my intention that the Regional Disability Forum, made up of Deaf and disabled people of all ages and backgrounds, will continue this important dialogue to ensure effective delivery.
The Strategy will run for a ten-year period from 2025 to 2035. It will be underpinned by an Action Plan which will set out a range of time-bound, measurable actions targeted at progressing outcomes and commitments.
RNIB and the Centre for Independent Living were part of the co-design group that helped shape the strategic approach.
Paula Beattie, RNIB Policy and Campaigns lead said:
“RNIB welcome that this long-awaited strategy centred on participation, rights and equality for Deaf and disabled people, is now out for consultation.
“We will work in partnership with blind and partially sighted people to ensure that their lived experience of sight loss is central to the shaping, implementation and review of the Disability Strategy with regards to equal access to services and independent living.”
Bryan Myles, Chief Executive, Centre for Independent Living NI, said;
“CILNI welcomes the publication of the draft Disability Strategy which the Department has spent a long time developing for public consultation.
“We would strongly encourage all disabled people to read and digest the draft strategy and participate in the consultation exercise and share your feedback from your own lived experience.”
A public consultation on the draft strategy has opened to allow the public to have their say. An extended 14-week consultation process will run from Tuesday 09 December 2025 and run until 5pm Friday 20 March 2026.
Read the Disability Strategy and have your say at: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-ni-executive-disability-strategy-2025-2035.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with Deena Nimick from the Centre for Independent Living Northern Ireland and Paula Beattie from RNIB at the launch of the consultation of the Executive Disability Strategy.
- The Minister’s full statement to the Assembly is available at: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/news/oral-ministerial-statement-gordon-lyons-mla-launch-public-consultation-executive-disability-strategy
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