THE BARCELONA DECLARATION
PROJECT 2002-2004.
Facilitating local authorities in
creating a more inclusive
society
Awareness raising and
consultation
Key elements for effective
implementation
Joe O’Neill,Director of Services,
Galway City Council
Galway and the Barcelona Declaration
Why Galway?
Consultation and Awareness
Issues and Challenges ahead
Barcelona Declaration Adopted by Galway City
Council -13th May 2002
3 underlying principles:
Every person has a value and a right to be
treated with dignity’
This is an equality issue
Focus on ability!
So why is Galway City Council involved in
this project?
Adopted by City Council
Democratic Wish
Demonstrate Leadership among Irish Local Authorities
[pilot project], and other Local Agencies and Sectors in
Galway
Demonstrate that we can make a difference - tangible
responses to identified local community needs
Make our city a better and more inclusive place in which
to live
Included in the Galway City Strategy 2002 – 2012 –
example of integration into policy
Build on existing work done at local level
So what did this mean for Galway City
Council in 2003?
Pilot Project with Institute of Design and Disability prepared groundwork
- Undertook training of Directors of Services and other
Staff along with Disability Advocates
- Prepared Draft Implementation Plan
- Consulted with people with a disability regarding plan
- Modified and amended Draft Plan
- Adopted Implementation Plan:
Long Term Goals
Specific Actions 2003
Long Term Goals
.To ensure a high level of awareness with respect to the
requirements of people with a disability amongst all
staff.
.To promote and ensure participation by disabled
persons / representatives in decision-making.
.To ensure access to information
.To promote universal access to urban spaces, buildings
and services.
.To encourage and facilitate access to housing according
to personal and economic circumstances
.To improve mobility of disabled persons throughout the
city, including passenger transport.
Long Term Goals [contd.]
.To promote co-ordination between service providers in
Galway City via the Galway City Development Board.
.To promote and pro-actively encourage equal
opportunities for people with a disability to participate
in the economic, social and cultural life of the City.
.To promote the inclusion of the universal access
principles in the public policy formulation process.
Specific Actions 2003
To provide training on disability awareness for staff
Disability-proof design for Eyre Square redevelopment
Communications strategy for city council - braille, audio,
loop systems
Sign language training
Accessible website
Accessibility audit of public buildings
Street initiative
Enforcement of part M of the Building Regulations
Pilot life-time adaptable housing scheme in
Knocknacarra
Specific Actions 2003 [CONTD.]
Housing scheme with universal access principles in
Merlin park
Upgrade signal crossings - Audio signals, tactile
pavings, dished kerbs
Disability awareness conference
Special Olympics Host Town programme support
Link with Access for All group
Disabled parking
The Actions are implemented by linking to the annual
business plans of each Department
For example:
-Upgrade signal crossings - Audio signals, tactile
pavings, dished kerbs
-Disabled parking
-To provide training on disability awareness for staff
are all incorporated into the Roads and traffic business
plan:
Business Plans
Barcelona Declaration
project team
Housing
Roads
Environment
Parks
Culture
Human Resources
ICT
Corporate Serv.
Water Services
Planning
Finance
Comm.& Ent.
Project Team:
Housing
Architect
Forward Planning
ICT
Corp Services
HR
Community and Enterprise
Environment and Parks
Roads and Traffic
INTERNALISING THE PROCESS - AND PERIODIC
FEEDBACK TO MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
Map of the Site