The entitlements of disabled people, including the right to vote, to own property and to express opinions freely, are among the rights emphasised in additional recommendations for national standards to improve quality of life.
The National Disability Authority (NBA) yesterday announced its second draft of the National Standards for Disability Services, which also includes changes relating to the needs of children, parents and carers.
The NDA's head of research and standards, Ms Mary van Lieshout, said the second draft was the result of a two-month nationwide consultation period, with an unprecedented number of people, 530, attending meetings.
She said the NDA had also received 78 written submissions in relation to the standards. The new draft had been enhanced and modified as a result of feedback received during the consultation.
"The most significant changes contained in the second draft of the standards relate to the needs of children, parents and carers and the requirement to build person-centred services," she said.
People also wanted to strengthen and make explicit the rights and entitlements of people with disabilities as outlined in Irish legislation and national policy, including the right to vote, to own property and to express one's opinions freely, Ms van Lieshout said.
The National Standards for Disability Services were designed to ensure that services in Ireland were provided to an agreed, consistent standard on a national basis and that they contributed to a measurable improvement in the quality of life of the individuals receiving those services, she added.
The NDA is working with the Department of Health and Children, and the standards will be introduced in a phased manner.