Excellence through Accessibility Award nda.ie/eta

1. Excellence through Accessibility Award http://www.nda.ie/eta Accessibility Conference Croke Park 22nd November 2006 Shane Hogan National Disability Authority Josephine Brady Cavan County Library

2. Background • Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000 In the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000, the Government made a commitment to do the following: “Each Government Department will ensure that reasonable steps are taken to make its services and those of agencies under its remit accessible to people with disabilities. To facilitate effective action and acceptable standards in this regard, the NDA will issue guidelines in accordance with international norms and will award an accessibility symbol to compliant public offices. Government Departments and agencies will take all reasonable action to qualify within five years. Adequate resources will be provided to the NDA and the Department of JELR to monitor, guide and audit progress towards the achievement of this commitment.”

3. Benefits • There are many benefits to service providers and customers in achieving thisaward. • The Award will have an impact by: • Delivering more accessible services in amore accessible environment; • Increasing customer focus; • Improving staff morale; • Developing better internal processes; • Developing more effective service delivery; • Recognising and rewarding best practice.

4. Guidelines and Criteria • 3 Sections – Equal weightings for scoring • Access to Quality Customer Services; • Access to the Built Environment; • Access to services delivered via Information and Communication Technology. • 14 Guidelines • 41 Criteria • 90 Performance Indicators • 0-3 scale for each PI • Must achieve minimum of 1 on EVERY PI to qualify

5. Features • Continuous Improvement Model • 3 Levels: Committed, Quality and Excellence • Site Specific: Physical location & associated services • Standards-based – non-competitive • Extensive support and guidance from EtA team • Confidentiality • Registration for 3 years • Appeals Process

6. Built Environment – Award criteria • Access to the Built Environment • Management of the Built Environment • External Environment • Vertical and Horizontal Circulation • Facilities • Interior Design • Evacuation

7. Participant Experiences • Cavan County Library • Josephine Brady, County Librarian

8. Appendices • EtA award process • Criteria • Quality Customer Services • Information & Communication Technology

9. Process • Briefing meeting with NDA • Application Form • Establish Access Team • Prepare for Assessment • Access Audit, Implementation Plan • Access Handbook • Website review • QCS Review • Promotion • Assessment - 2-3 days for 3 assessors • Documentation, • Observation • Interviews with staff and customers. • Independent Approvals Board

10. Quality Customer Services • Access to Quality Customer Services • Commitment • Equality and Positive Action • Human Resource Management • Procurement • Customer Service

11. Information & Communications Technology • Access to Information and Communication Technology • Communication Strategy • Public Computers, Kiosks and other Public Access Terminals • Web Accessibility