Annual Report 2012-2013 (PDF)
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1 EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Public Authority 2012 – 2013 Annual Progress Report on: Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 and Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Order (DDO) 2006 This report template includes a number of self-assessment questions regarding implementation of the Section 75 statutory duties from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (Part A). This template also includes a number of questions regarding implementation of Section 49A of the DDO from the 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 (Part B). Please enter information at the relevant part of each section and ensure that it is submitted electronically (by completing this template) and in hardcopy, with a signed cover letter from the Chief Executive or, in his / her absence, the Deputy Chief Executive to the Commission by 31 August 2013. In completing this template it is essential to focus on the application of Section 75 and Section 49. This involves progressing the commitments in your equality scheme or disability action plan which should lead to outcomes and impacts in terms of measurable improvement for individuals from the equality categories. Such outcomes and impacts may include changes in public policy, in service provision and/or in any of the areas within your functional remit. Name of public authority (Enter details below) Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Equality Officer (Enter name and contact details below) S75/DDO: Maria Bannon Equality Manager Room 152 Parliament Buildings Ballymiscaw Stormont BT4 3XX 2 Part A: Section 75 Annual Progress Report 2012 - 2013 Executive Summary What were the key policy / service developments made by the authority during this reporting period to better promote equality of opportunity and good relations and what outcomes were achieved? The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the Commission) continues to progress the equality agenda through all areas of its business with Assembly staff, visitors to Parliament Buildings and building users. This annual report records the activities and actions undertaken by the Commission in furtherance of its statutory obligations. It covers the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. Below is a ‘snapshot’ of developments during this reporting period. Snapshot of Key Developments in the Reporting Period 1. Revised Equality Scheme 2012-2016 was implemented and communicated to staff and public http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Corporate-Information/Policies/Equality- Scheme-2012-2016/ 2. Disability Action Plan 2012-2014 was publicly consulted upon, implemented and communicated to staff http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Corporate- Information/Policies/Disability-Action-Plan-2012-2016/ 3. Good Relations Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2016 was developed, issued for public consultation, approved by the Commission and a report produced http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Documents/Corporate/Commission/Commission-Good-Relation- Strategy.pdf 4. Action on Hearing Loss ‘Louder than Words’ accreditation maintained http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Visit-and-Learning/Visiting/Access-Information/Disabled-Access1/ 5. Establishment of the Assembly Community Connect Programme. Terms of Reference can be found at Appendix 1. 6. Parliament Buildings was the first public building in the UK to achieve formal accreditation through the National Autistic Association for its autism Initiative. An autism page has been established on the Assembly website providing information for those visiting Parliament Buildings http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Visit-and-Learning/Visiting/Autism-and-the-Assembly/ 7. A range of physical works was completed to enable greater access, and equity of access, to the front door of Parliament Buildings. See ‘Summer at Parliament Buildings’ video http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Assembly-Extra/Bitesize-/ 8. Good Relations special meetings were held with Commission Members http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Assembly-Commission/Minutes/19-April- 2012/ 3 http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Assembly-Commission/Minutes/08-May- 2012-Special-Meeting/ 9. Education E-Learning Age Award – Biz Media E-Learning Gold Award achieved in partnership with CCEA for our interactive and learning website. 10. A motion on the flying of the Union flag was agreed “That the Assembly Commission tasks officers to bring back a report, within 3 months, following consultation with Assembly Parties, reviewing the number of days upon which the Union Flag flies from Parliament Buildings and detailing a range of options and how a process of public consultation could be carried out and arrangements for carrying out an EQIA.” 11. Full information on disability access was updated http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Visit-and- Learning/Visiting/Access-Information/Disabled-Access1/ and a pre-visit video for those with a disability or dependents visiting Parliament Buildings was developed http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Visit-and- Learning/Visiting/Autism-and-the-Assembly/PB-Video/ 12. Historic Anniversaries ‘Perspectives on… series’ continued in reporting period http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases-2011-2012/Perspectives-On-An- Agreed-Series-Of-Events-To-Mark-The-Decade-Of-Centenaries-At-Parliament-Buildings/ and 80th Anniversary of Parliament Buildings, see video http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and- Media/Assembly-Extra/Bitesize-/ 13. Charity of the Year was agreed as Action Mental Health and a range of activites were facilitated http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases-2011-2012/Assembly-Commission- Nominates-Action-Mental-Health-as-its-Charity-of-the-Year/ 14. Continued policy development and revision to include consultation with staff and the public. 15. Proposals for a Youth Assembly were developed and the Commission endorsed the approach to seek funding partners and ask OFMDFM to make a bid to the Executive on their behalf. 16. A ‘Youth Work is Political’ Conference was held in conjunction with Youth Action, Public Achievement (WIMPS) and Save the Children NI. 17. A quiet room was established and a braille self-guided tour map developed. 18. Equality training for staff continued in the reporting period. 19. A good relations cross directorate panel was established to take forward the Good Relations Strategy equality screening. 20. The Speakers Art Group 2012 -2013 exhibitions schedule was agreed and included the Ulster Academy of Female Artists to celebrate International Women’s Day, an exhibition of school presentations on suffrage http://education.niassembly.gov.uk/node/220, an exhibition by people recovering from mental health, produced in association with the NI Arts Council and UK City of Culture exhibition. A full list of 2012-2013 schedules can be found at Appendix 2. http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/Speaker-Marks-International- Womens-Day-with-Womens-Art-Exhibition-Launch-/ http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases-2011-2012/Peace-Mural-Takes- Centre-Stage-At-Parliament-Buildings/ 4 Art exhibitions online video http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Assembly-Extra/Bitesize-/ 21. Continued meetings of the Internal Access and Participation Group and the External Disability Advisory Group took place http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Corporate- Information/Policies/Disability-Advisory-Group/ 22. The Education Programme was delivered in Irish. From April 2012, the NI Assembly Education Service delivered the education programme to 6 groups of students from 4 different Irish-medium schools. A full breakdown of school trends from 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 can be found at Appendix 4. 23. The Speaker’s Christmas Event was held and recognized the contribution to society of those people with a neurological condition or those people who are actively involved in supporting those who have neurological conditions. Video link at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Assembly- Extra/Bitesize-/ 24. The Speaker’s St Patrick’s Day celebration recognized the contribution of people to the area domestic violence http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/Speakers-St- Patricks-Day-Event-Focuses-on-Supporting-Victims-of-Domestic-Violence-/ Video link for St Patrick’s Day and Commonwealth Day http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News-and- Media/Assembly-Extra/Bitesize-/ 25. Parliament Buildings hosted 79,081 visitors during 2012. 26. A ‘Guide for Witnesses’ was updated to include a guide for a person with autism attending a Committee Meeting. 27. A range of Committees, supported by the Assembly Secretariat, received briefings and took evidence from a number of organisations from Section 75 groups. Examples can be found at Appendix 5. 28. The Internal Good Relations Research Audit was accepted by Assembly Commission http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/Documents/Publications/Good-Relations/NIA-Good-Relations- Report.pdf?epslanguage=en-GB 29. An Employment Equality Plan was completed. 30. The MLA/Staff Protocol agreed. 31. A continued programme of equality screening and impact assessments took place http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ABOUT-THE-ASSEMBLY/Corporate-Information/Publications/Equality- Screening-and-Equality-Impact-Assessments-EQIAs/ 32. Assembly Oral and Written questions were answered. See Appendix 3. 33. Continued events were hosted at Parliament Buildings covering issues affecting a range of Section 75 categories. See Appendix 8. 34. Launch of NI Hospice annual Lights to Remember Appeal http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/News- and-Media/Press-Releases/Speaker-of-NI-Assembly-Lights-Up-Hospice-Appeal/