Draft Disability Strategy Public Consultation

Overview

The Executive Disability Strategy responds to long standing calls from Deaf and disabled people for a strategy developed in partnership with them and their representative organisations.

The primary aim of the Strategy is to improve the lives of people who are Deaf and disabled people, their families and carers so that they can play a full and active role in all aspects of our society.

The draft Disability Strategy’s vision is for ‘’An inclusive society that respects, protects, promotes and fulfils the rights of all Deaf and disabled people to participate fully, free from discrimination’’.

The Strategy is structured around eight outcomes which in turn will be supported by an associated Action Plan. The outcomes will seek to ensure that Deaf and disabled people can:

1. Effectively exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms and participate in society on an equal basis, free from discrimination.

2. Access our built environment, facilities and transport on an equal basis.

3. Access our public services, government information and communications on an equal basis.

4. Access and participate in culture, leisure activities and sport on an equal basis.

5. Live independently in the community with choice and control, with a sufficient and sustainable standard of living.

6. Have access to quality health and social care on an equal basis and without discrimination.

7. Access, sustain and progress within quality employment in an inclusive labour market.

8. Deaf and disabled children and young people can exercise their rights and reach their full educational, social and developmental potential.

The Executive is committed to working together to deliver this Strategy, which represents the next step in our journey towards a fully inclusive society where Deaf and disabled people are able to live their lives with equality, dignity, choice and freedom.

Why your views matter

The purpose of this consultation on the Disability Strategy is to set out what the Executive proposes to do to make a long term, sustainable impact on the lives of Deaf and disabled people here in Northern Ireland and gather your views on those proposals.

The consultation will be open for response from Tuesday 09 December – Friday 20 March 2026.

For responses to be considered they must be received by the Department by 5pm on Friday 20 March 2026. Responses received will be used to inform the final content of the Executive Strategy.

Comments on the Executive's draft Disability Strategy can be submitted via online survey at the link below or by email. The survey will ask your views about the vision, scope, guiding principles, outcomes and commitments.

Please note that as responses to this consultation may be disclosable respondents should not include personal data or names as part of their responses.