Part B, Annual Progress Report 2023-24

PART B - Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) and Disability Action Plans

1. Number of action measures for this reporting period that have been:

Fully achieved: 12

Partially achieved: 3

Not achieved: 0

2. Please outline below details on all actions that have been fully achieved in the reporting period.

2 (a) Please highlight what public life measures have been achieved to encourage disabled people to participate in public life at National, Regional and Local levels:

Level: National 

Public Life Action Measures: N/A

Outputs: N/A

Outcomes / Impact: N/A

 

Level: Regional

Public Life Action Measures:  N/A

Outputs:  N/A

Outcomes / Impact:  N/A

 

Level: Local 

Public Life Action Measures: The Equality Forum continued to be used as a consultative and representative forum within Causeway Coast and Glens.  A working group continued to improve access to services for people with Autism.  People with a disability were supported to attend and fully engage in Council matters.  Improved accessibility for individuals with a disability to participate in physical activity initiatives, access sport and improve well-being.

Outputs: A wide range of S75 groups continued to be represented at the Equality Forum including a range of groups representing those with disabilities.  Actions in the Autism Action Plan continued to be overseen by Elected representatives who commissioned the service improvement Action plan. Local disability groups continued to be involved in consultation initiatives and forward planning.  Inclusive programmes were facilitated for individuals with a disability.

Outcomes / Impact: Representatives from local Disability Groups both co-created and were consulted on major policy and infrastructure projects. (E.g. Area Redevelopments).  Due to successful initiatives group membership has expanded.  Actions outlined in the Autism Action plan continue to be achieved.  Representatives advised, directed and co-developed initiatives and policies. Increased people with a disability were able to participate, exercise and socialise.

2(b) What training action measures were achieved in this reporting period?

1 
Training Action Measures: Induction Training Sessions.

Outputs: Quarterly induction training sessions for all new employees of Council.  These sessions include a section on equality, diversity and good relations.

Outcome / Impact: New employees awareness of the legislative requirements relating to equality and good relations have been improved and a baseline of skills and knowledge is developed.

 

2 
Training Action Measures: Training Sessions for staff on: Disability Awareness, Health & Wellbeing for Staff.

Outputs: Training for relevant staff on a range of equality and disability issues continued.

Outcome / Impact: Employees of Council have up-to-date awareness of equality and disability issues affecting people with specific disabilities.  Promotion of positive attitudes towards people with a disability.

 

3
Training Action Measures: Awareness raising training for staff and elected members.

Outputs: Monthly awareness emails to all staff and elected members.

Outcome / Impact: Promotion of positive attitudes towards disabled people through acknowledging the contribution of people with a disability.

 

4
Training Action Measures: Members training programme.

Outputs: Members training programme delivered. 

Outcome / Impact: Members capacity will be developed to ensure awareness of legal obligations in relation to employment and service delivery.

 

 

2(c) What Positive attitudes action measures in the area of Communications were achieved in this reporting period?

 

1
Communications Action Measures: Continuous improvements supporting accessibility for individuals with a disability to access information about all Council Services.

Outputs: Easy Read was identified as important communication tool.

Outcome / Impact: 5 new Easy Read documents were developed.  Feedback supported Councils ambition to become more inclusive.

 

2
Communications Action Measures: Attendance of Diversity Champion at training and networking events.

Outputs: Training and networking events for Disability Champions arranged by the Local Government Staff Commission.

Outcome / Impact: Greater awareness and knowledge of issues facing people with disabilities and development of positive attitudes to people with a disability. Sharing of equality and diversity best practice information between elected representatives and Councils.

 

3
Communications Action Measures: Improve disability awareness of staff via e-briefings, newsletters, staff meetings, emails, intranet and internet.

Outputs: Provision of an awareness programme for staff continued in 2022 - 2023.  Disability related topics were highlighted to staff.

Outcome / Impact: There was an emphasis on Makaton throughout the reporting period and staff were educated on the Makaton language through weekly Makaton signs and action.  This has improved accessible communication used by staff and elected representatives.

 

 

2 (d) What action measures were achieved to ‘encourage others’ to promote the two duties:

1
Encourage others Action Measures: Improve disability awareness via information and links on the Council website.

Outputs: Articles by the Diversity Champion provided via social media.  Specific information provided on the website.

Outcome / Impact: Information provided to Citizens via the website and social media will raise awareness and acceptance.

 

2
Encourage others Action Measures: Encouraging consultation and asking people to feed into Councils decision making process.

Outputs: Advertisement via social media, newspapers and emails to encourage others to take part in our consultation exercises.

Outcome / Impact: New individuals joined the consultation list. New individuals/representatives joined the equality forum.

 

 

 

2 (e) Please outline any additional action measures that were fully achieved other than those listed in the tables above:

 

1
Action Measures fully implemented (other than Training and specific public life measures): Screening of new and revised policies for impact on the Disability Duties.

Outputs: Screening process included consideration of the Disability Duties.

Outcomes / Impact: Improved awareness of the Council’s obligations under the Disability Duties and inclusion in policy development work within Council.

 

2
Action Measures fully implemented (other than Training and specific public life measures): Advice provided to disabled Councillors and staff on reasonable adjustments.

Outputs: Practical actions and advice available on reasonable adjustments.

Outcomes / Impact: Improved participation in the workplace by Councillors and staff with a disability.

 

3
Action Measures fully implemented (other than Training and specific public life measures): The impacts of Hate Crime required education and awareness.

Outputs: A hate crime education event was arranged to improve knowledge and support for people with disabilities.

Outcomes / Impact: Improved awareness of what a hate crime is and how to complain and/or support someone who needs it.

 

3. Please outline what action measures have been partly achieved as follows:

1
Action Measures partly achieved: Every Customer Counts Initiative progressed.

Milestones/ Outputs: Not all facilities have been audited.

Outcomes/Impacts: Facilities suitable for all customers’ needs/requirements.

Reasons not fully achieved: Audits have been planned over a longer period than the review.

 

2
Action Measures partly achieved: Extension of JAM Card roll out.

Milestones/ Outputs: Increase the number of retailers who take up the initiative.

Outcomes/Impacts: Improved support for disabled people when engaging with retailers.

Reasons not fully achieved: Extension of JAM Card roll-out planned for later in 2024.

 

3
Action Measures partly achieved: To improve information for people with disabilities.

Milestones/ Outputs: Development of virtual information on the Leisure App detailing accessible leisure provisions in the 4 centres.  Improved information for individuals with Autism.

Outcomes/Impacts: There has been improved information regarding facilities and accessible equipment/services available.  However, there are plans to extend the provision further.

Reasons not fully achieved: The provision previously determined has been extended and actions have been set over the next reporting period.

 

4. Please outline what action measures have not been achieved and the reasons why.      N/A

 

5. What monitoring tools have been put in place to evaluate the degree to which actions have been effective / develop new opportunities for action?

(a) Qualitative
• Review of substance of relevant Complaints/Comments.
• Feedback from service users.
• Review of the Disability Action Plan.

(b) Quantitative
• Number of complaints received regarding accessibility and disability related issues.
• Number of requests for specific services received, e.g. interpretation services, information in alternative formats, etc.
• Number of training sessions provided and attendance at same
• Audits undertaken as part of the “Every Customer Counts” initiative and number of actions in Action Plans delivered.

 

6. As a result of monitoring progress against actions has your organisation either:

• made any revisions to your plan during the reporting period or 

• taken any additional steps to meet the disability duties which were not outlined in your original disability action plan / any other changes?

 
 No

 

 
7. Do you intend to make any further revisions to your plan in light of your organisation’s annual review of the plan?  If so, please outline proposed changes?

No following an audit of inequalities a new plan has been drafted.