Executive Office Marks International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

The Executive Officer has marked the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which aims to spread the word on disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The day, marked since 1992, also aims to draw attention to the benefits to society of including persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

In its 29th year of celebration, the theme in 2023 is: 'Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.'

The day marks the need for innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering three key themes:

Innovations in disability inclusive employment development

• This focuses on the links between employment, knowledge and skills required to access employment in a changing technological landscape, and how assistive technologies which increase accessibility can be mainstreamed in the workplace.

Innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality

• This dialogue will discuss innovations, practical tools, and good practices to reduce inequalities in both public and private sectors, which are disability inclusive and interested in promoting diversity in the workplace.

Innovation for disability inclusive development

• Sport is a sector where all these aspects coalesce, as a good practice example and a site of innovation, employment, and equity.

To support both staff and service users with disabilities, TEO's Disability Action Plan 2021-2026 includes a list of 17 action measures which contribute to the fulfilment of the department's disability duties. It sets out the actions that the Executive Office plans to take forward over the five-year period of the plan and is intended to remind all staff of our commitment to people with disabilities both within the department and those who engage with the department. Each year the Equality team prepares a report on progress on fulfilling our equality and disability duties which is sent to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, which all business areas are asked to contribute to.

In line with the day's theme, The Civil Service is committed to being a disability inclusive employer and is a lead partner of Employers for Disability NI (EFDNI). Virtual Awareness Sessions aimed at increasing disability awareness have been held since November 2022 and will run until February 2023. If you wish to register for any of these events, please email the Diversity and Inclusion team diversity@finance-ni.gov.uk indicating the sessions which you wish to attend. Joining links will be issued following registration.