UNCRPD Expert Seminar

1. UNCRPD Expert Seminar

2. Programme 10.30am Welcome Paul Noonan, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland 10.35amDeveloping the List of Issues Paul Noonan 10.45amCurrent shortfalls in public policies and programmes QUB research team 11.30amBreak 11.45am Breakout groups 12.15pm Feedback on Research QUB Research Team 12.30pmFeedback on List of Issues Paul Noonan 12.45pmLunch 1.30pm How to best influence the UNCRPD Committee Tony O’Reilly, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Colin Caughey, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission 2.30pmOptional group discussion on UNCRPD reporting: The room has been booked for an additional hour for those who wish to stay and discuss UNCRPD reporting. 3.30pmClose

3. Developing IMNI’s list of Issues IMNI policy development work and consultation responses Our engagement with the Disability Sector Disability Action research for IMNI 2010 QUB research team update of 2010 research Your views

4. IMNI’s provisional list of Issues Awareness raising (Art. 8) Participation in political and public life (Art. 29) Reliable data and statistics (Art. 31)and access to information (Arts. 9 and 21) + Legal reform (Art. 5: Equality and non-discrimination) Mental capacity and mental health legislation (Art. 12: Equal participation before the law) Special Educational Needs reform (Art. 24: Education) Access to Healthcare/NHS Reform (Art. 25: Health) Welfare Reform (Art. 28: Adequate standard of living and social protection)

5. Feedback on Research

6. Feedback on the list of issues

7. How to best influence the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Colin Caughey Tony O’Reilly

8. Presentation Background State Report Alternative Report (IM & DPO) Submission List of Issues Examination

9. Introduction to UNCRPD What is different about the UNCRPD? Rights Holders Participation & Involvement Independent Living Recognition of legal capacity Who are the Committee?

10. Key Stages of Examination Process (Now) Preparatory Work – Reporter (15 July 2014) Submission of Alternative Reports (October 2014) Pre-Session Task Force – Adopt List of Issues (October 2014 – April 2015) State & National Human Rights Institutions/ DPO’s/ NGO’s Response to List of Issues (April 2015) Formal Examination – Dialogue with the State & National Human Rights Institutions/DPO’s/NGO’s (May 2015) Publication of Concluding Observations (May 2015 onwards) Follow up

11. Content of State Report Review of measures/actions taken to fulfil CRPD obligations. Sets out laws, policies and practices that currently exists. Identifies problems, challenges and shortcomings. Sets out plans aims and objectives to progress further the implementation of the Convention including how Government is resolving problems, challenges and shortcomings identified in its report.

12. Alternative Report Response to and informed by state report. Follow CRPD Treaty Guidelines DPO representatives’ report should generally follow the same form and content as the state report. Identify the current situation – Article specific. Make recommendations/questions for Committee to consider

13. General Guidance for Alternative Reports Be clear, concise, accurate and objective – identify relevant article/s. Provide a short explanation where laws, policies and practices are specific to Northern Ireland Focus can be one or more articles – no requirement to take account of all

14. General Guidance for Alternative Reports (cont’d) Make key recommendations to improve or resolve the situation linked to specific articles: Only one action per recommendation (prioritise) Identify those responsible e.g. NI Exec, Govt. Dept Make recommendations measurable if possible Propose a time frame for implementation Avoid vague or general recommendations Identify targeted questions

15. General Guidance for Alternative Reports (cont’d) When identifying your concerns/issues, provide supporting evidence: Research Case law Statistics Personal experience *Remember “less is more”

16. Cross-cutting Articles women (Art 6) children and young people (Art 7) awareness raising (Art 8) accessibility (Art 9) Link to subject specific articles e.g. Education (Art 24), Employment (Art 27)

17. Timing of Submission Submit report – list of issues/alternative report - as early as possible. Timing of submission should take account of any informal or local arrangements agreed with Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs)/Alliances/NGOs Co-ordinate with relevant organisations

18. List of Issues A pre-session working group will develop a ‘List of Issues’ – a series of questions for the State Party NHRIs/DPOS/NGOs can make submissions to CRPD Committee to Influence Selection of issues On publication you may wish to clarify a point with the Committee or to make a further submission

19. Examination Geneva DPOs/NGOs have an opportunity to brief the Committee formally or informally The independent mechanism will also be present to brief the Committee Publication of concluding observations Follow up

20. Next Steps May 2014: IMNI views on LOI available to sector 15 July 2014: Submission of Alternative Reports by DPOs 15 August 2014: Submission of UKIM report October 2014:Pre-Session Task Force – Adopt List of Issues October 2014 - April 2015: State & National Human Rights Institutions/ DPO’s/ NGO’s Response to List of Issues

21. Next Steps (cont.) April 2015: Formal Examination – Dialogue with the State & National Human Rights Institutions/DPO’s/NGO’s May 2015: Publication of Concluding Observations May 2015 onwards: Follow up