Government to reform the Disability Act 2005

The Government are inviting disabled people, their families, representative groups and carers to take part in a public consultation.

​The public consultation will inform the review of the Disability Act 2005, with disabled people and their families providing their expertise as part of the process.

​This will be the first reform of the act in over 20 years, and it will coincide with the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and the Programme for Government.

​The Act will be reviewed with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in mind.

​Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said: “In the 20 years since the Disability Act 2005 was enacted, the landscape for disabled people and their families has completely changed. This long-awaited review is an important opportunity to improve the quality of life for disabled people, their families and carers.

​“The need for the Disability Act to be reviewed has been raised consistently by disabled people, Disabled People Organisations (DPOs), families, carers and representative bodies. Ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate in this process is vital so that the updated Act fully considers the needs and wants of disabled people into the future.”

Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability added: “The need to review the Disability Act has been long acknowledged, and it is important that this first phase, the public consultation, includes as many voices and perspectives as possible. We must work together to deliver change and to consider how we can improve this legislation to benefit disabled people. This review may result in recommendations for legislative changes, policy development or calls for specific pieces of research.”