AQW 2022/16-21

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 29/06/2016
Answered On Date: 14/07/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities how local councils have supported the increased accessibility of arts venues.

Answer:

The Department for Communities has no direct policy responsibility with regard to councils improving access for disabled persons. In Northern Ireland the requirement to make buildings accessible is dictated by Equality Legislation and Building Regulations.

Councils, as separate legal entities, are required by law to comply with all relevant legislation to provide equality of opportunity and protection from discrimination for people with disabilities. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 imposes a duty on employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to help them overcome barriers that they may face in accessing and using goods and services. In relation to the provision of accessible facilities for people with disabilities, councils are required to comply under section 21B and section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended by the Disability Discrimination (NI) Order 2006

The Disability Discrimination (NI) Order 2006 also places a duty on the Equality Commission to enforce the requirement of councils to have due regard to their statutory obligations under section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and, as such, it provides a monitoring role. To comply with these obligations councils are required to have Disability Action Plans. These are a statement of a council’s commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity for disabled people and complement Equality Schemes required under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

In addition councils are responsible for Development management, determining the vast majority of planning applications for districts. All planning applications submitted to a council would be required to comply with relevant planning policies and legislation concerning accessibility.