International Year of Disabled People (Hansard, 18 January 1982)

§ Mr. Prior

The Departments for which I am responsible have contributed to the International Year of Disabled People in a variety of ways. The more important contributions wereDepartment of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland The Department gave encouragement and financial help to the Northern Ireland regional committee for the International Year of Disabled People and published a new edition of its booklet "Help for the Handicapped": a guide to benefits and services. A seminar on short term care for mentally handicapped children was held in December 1981, with the aim of stimulating the 40W interest of both statutory and voluntary bodies in the provision of short-term care. Health and social services boards in Northern Ireland were encouraged to play an active role in the International Year of Disabled People events. Among other initiatives for the year, each board staged, in association with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, a series of exhibitions on services for the handicapped in centres throughout Northern Ireland. Department of Manpower Services Northern Ireland The Department emphasised and promoted positive policies in the employment of disabled people through its various services for the disabled, the "Fit for Work" award scheme, and local presentations by the employment service network. The Department supports the activities of district advisory committees in promoting the employment of disabled people in their respective areas including a study on the feasibility of introducing sheltered industrial groups into Northern Ireland. As a result of these studies, it is intended that sheltered industrial groups will be set up in Northern Ireland. Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland A mobile exhibition entitled—"Getting there—transport and disabled people"—visited some 50 locations in Northern Ireland; a campaign was mounted in the media asking drivers to show consideration for elderly and disabled road users; the minimum age for holding a provisional driving licence was lowered to 16 years for young disabled persons in receipt of a mobility allowance; and the Department will shortly be publishing a guide to transport for the disabled. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive's budget for meeting the needs of the disabled was increased from £0.5 million in 1980–81 to £1.05 million in the current year. During the first nine months of 1981 the executive completed 2, 226 adaptations in its dwellings to make them more suitable for use by disabled tenants. In addition, 107 grants were approved for adaptation in the private sector. The Department continued to support the needs of the disabled through the voluntary housing movement. In 1981–82, £3 million out of a total budget of £21 million was reserved for schemes designed to alleviate the problems of the disabled. The Department is promoting legislation in a Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Order which corresponds to the provisions of the Disabled Persons Act 1981. It is also proposed to increase the rates of grant available under the home insulation and house renovation grants schemes in certain cases where an occupant of the house is disabled. Department of the Civil Service for Northern Ireland The Civil Service Commissioners instructed selection board members to ensure that disabled applicants are given every opportunity at interview to present themselves to best advantage. The Department liaised with Northern Ireland Departments to ensure that disabled candidates are given suitable postings. The welfare service gave particular attention to the needs of disabled civil servants. Department of Commerce for Northern Ireland The Department and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board continued to encourage developers to incorporate facilities for disabled people where practicable in tourist accommodation and amenity schemes. Further publicity was also given to the list of accommodation suitable for disabled persons which is maintained by the toursit board. The tourist board also sponsored jointly the Northern Ireland committee of the International Year of Disabled People, a special seminar on "Tourism and the Disabled Person".