National Disability Authority - National Disability Authority

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The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body with a duty to provide evidence-informed advice and guidance to government on disability policy and practice and the application of Universal Design.
This year’s event will examine the implementation of Article 11 UNCRPD in Ireland.
See our policy, research, publications and guidelines by topic.
Transforming Disability Services
Health and Social Care
Justice, Equality and Addressing Violence and Abuse
Housing and Environment
Assistive Technology
Participation in Society
Awareness Raising and Attitudes
A substantial body of research has indicated that involving disabled people in research can enhance the quality of research processes and outputs, and ensure that research aligns with the UNCRPD and the rights-based perspective.
This guidance document is a practical resource to support researchers to meaningfully involve people with disabilities in collaborative research projects.
The guidance may also be useful for disabled people who are interested in getting involved in research and for organisations who wish to support their members to get involved in research.
The guidance is based on an extensive literature review, and a series of discussion groups with representatives of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), disabled individuals, representatives of voluntary and community organisations, and researchers on the topic of collaborative research.
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) is dedicated to enabling the design of environments that can be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability. The CEUD is part of the National Disability Authority.
Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018. It is an international human rights treaty, It underpins the work of the National Disability Authority.
Our report on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was presented to the Minister in July 2021 and was published in January 2023.
We are working on a cost benefit analysis of universally designed housing, looking at the impact of Covid-19 on the employment of people with disabilities, and examining the impact of the cessation of the Wards of Court system in Ireland.
The NDA recognises both people with disabilities and disabled people as valid and legitimate terms. However, in recognition of the preferences of most Disabled Persons Organisations in Ireland, and in alignment with the approach taken in other relevant national strategies and policies, we will mainly use the term disabled people on this website. However, our advised approach is not rigid. As such, person-first language continues to feature on this website. For example, when referring to people with an intellectual disability, people with a psycho-social disability and people with mental health difficulties. Person-first language may also be used when referencing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or in line with the preferences of individuals we consult with or interview. Finally, we recognise that some people do not identify as being disabled.
We are located at 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
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The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD), part of the National Disability Authority, is dedicated to enabling the design of environments that can be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability.
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