National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

• Exploiting information – attention needs to be given to the conversion and use ofinformation in different settings; local networks are fundamental to promotingawareness, access and the exploitation within communities.Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government Sectoral Plan11.9 A key objective of the DECLG Sectoral Plan is to ensure full access to information onlocal authority services for persons with disabilities and on services provided by theDepartment and bodies under its aegis. The Department, bodies under its aegis and localauthorities will ensure that, as far as possible, access to information provided by them, oron their behalf, will be available to persons with disabilities in an accessible format asprovided in Section 28 of the Disability Act 2005 and the Code of Practice on Accessibility ofPublic Services and information provided by public bodies prepared and published by theNDA under Section 30 of the 2005 Act 119 . This includes information requested by:• A person with a visual impairment, e.g. information in an electronic format usingadaptive technology; and• A person with a hearing impairment or learning disability.11.10 Current funding of over €21.7 million was provided by DECLG over the period 2005 –2010 to assist local authorities in delivering high standards of access to people withdisabilities, including, inter alia, adapting information systems and the provision ofequipment to improve accessibility of public services. The Local Government ManagementAuthority hosts an intranet facility on their website 120 for local authority Access Officers 121which showcases good practice, provides practical answers to common queries, hosts adiscussion forum and provides links to relevant publications, including guidance andlegislation.11.11 In addition, the DECLG is committed, where practicable and where funding allows,to:• Ensuring that all forms and information leaflets are made available in an accessibleformat where requested;• Considering the needs of customers in designing forms, leaflets and publications;119Approved by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in S.I. 163 of 2006 - Disability Act 2005 (Codeof Practice) (Declaration) Order 2006.120www.la-accessibility.ie121Local Authority Access Officers are responsible for providing or arranging for, and co-ordinating assistanceand guidance to persons with disabilities accessing services and generally to act as a point of contact forpeople with disabilities wishing to access such services.139