10-year wait for disabled access to some public buildings criticised

People with disabilities could have to wait up to 10 years for proper access to some public buildings under provisions of the Disability Act that came into effect yesterday.

Under the Act Government departments and public bodies have until 2015 to make their buildings accessible. This covers new buildings and older facilities which must be "retro-fitted" to ensure they meet people's needs.

However, the campaign group People With Disabilities in Ireland (PWDI) said the decade-long roll-out gives too much time to public bodies, and could result in some premises delaying accessibility-improvement works.

"Ten years is a long time, and will stretch beyond the life experience of a lot of people affected by disabilities now," said PWDI chief executive Michael Ringrose.

He said many relatively new buildings were not accessible because planning permission was granted years before they were built.

The new legislation also requires Government departments and public bodies to meet a 3 per cent target for the employment of people with disabilities.

In addition, it limits the use of genetic testing for employmentpurposes, and for insurance and mortgage qualification.

The use of information obtained from such testing will be limited to ensure that people affected by genetic disorders will not be subjected to unreasonable requirements by an employer. However, the actual limits are not set out in the legislation.

"It's skirting around the issue a little bit. More detail should have been given to suggest what sort of testing and what sort of information will be controlled," Mr Ringrose said.

Compliance with the legislation will be monitored by the National Disability Authority (NDA). Minister of State for Justice Frank Fahey announced a new NDA board yesterday.

Angela Kerins, who has been reappointed chairwoman of the authority, said she hoped the provisions of the Act would be implemented sooner than the legislative deadlines.

She said the disabilities sector would continue to push for equality of services.