1 / 20

Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward

Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward. NDA Conference for Access Officers Helen Lahert Manager, Advocacy and Accessibility Citizens Information Board Tullamore; June 12th 2007. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward. Citizens Information Board

arnav
Download Presentation

Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward NDA Conference for Access Officers Helen Lahert Manager, Advocacy and Accessibility Citizens Information Board Tullamore; June 12th 2007

  2. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward Citizens Information Board • Established in 2000 as Comhairle • Dept. Social and Family Affairs • Citizens Information Act 2007

  3. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward • Key Functions of Citizens Information Board • To support the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services and • To assist and support individuals, in particular those with disabilities, in identifying and understanding their needs and options and in accessing their entitlement to social services.

  4. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward • Key Functions of Citizens Information Board • To support the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services and • To assist and support individuals, in particular those with disabilities, in identifying and understanding their needs and options and in accessing their entitlement to social services.

  5. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward The Citizens Information Phone Service 1890 777 121

  6. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward • The network of Citizens Information Services, providing information at 254 locations

  7. Citizens Information Act 2007 • Personal Advocacy Service • Provides an extended role for Comhairle to support, promote and develop greater accessibility, co-ordination and public awareness of social services.

  8. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward Advocacy ‘Advocacy is a means of empowering people by supporting them to assert their views and claim their entitlements and where necessary representing them and negotiating on their behalf’ Comhairle Advocacy Guidelines 2005 • Mainstream / Citizens Information Services • Targeted / Disability Advocacy Programme in the Community and Voluntary Sector • Personal Advocacy Service

  9. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward Citizens Information Board Dual Approach – Providing accessible information • Three Channels • Accessible Publications in different formats • Partnership with representative organisations • Promotion of information services Informing and promoting accessibility of information • Publication • Seminars

  10. Access to Information for All Guidelines on removing barriers and improving access to information for everyone

  11. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward Access to Information for All Author: Jane Pillinger • Information helps us to make decisions and choices about our lives and enables us to live independently, to access social rights and entitlements and take part fully in society • Guidelines aim to help information providers enhance their information services by ensuring that information is accessible to everyone • Guidelines drawn up after consultation with a wide range of groups and individuals. • Research into the information needs of groups experiencing barriers in accessing information services

  12. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward The Guidelines Provide: • A resource for information providers • A tool for working with people who experience barriers in accessing information • Examples of best preactice in providing information • A signpost to additional resources

  13. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward • Making Information Accessible to All • Inclusive Publications • Alternative Formats • Online Information • Telephone Services • Face to Face Information • Physical Accessibility • Working in Partnership • Getting Information Out There • Involving Service Users

  14. What information does assistireland contain? A database of more than 6,000 products and over 200 suppliers. Information on how assistive technology can be used in daily living situations .

  15. www.assistireland.ie Telephone support service 1890 277 478 Email support@assistireland.ie Feedback Form - Live on site

  16. Accessible Public Services – The Way Forward Sign Language Interpreting Service • Sectoral Plan DFSA • Research (Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland) • New Service April 2007 • denise.cullen@slis.ie Phone: 014139670

  17. helen.lahert@ciboard.ie

More Related