Belfast City Council has launched a 14-week public consultation on its draft Disability Action Plan for 2026–2029 and is inviting residents to take part in a series of engagement sessions to help make the city more accessible and inclusive. The consultation opened on 8 October 2026 and closes on 12 January 2027.

A programme of in-person conversations will take place across Belfast next month: Friday 6 November (11am–1pm) at Crescent Arts Centre; Monday 16 November (5pm–7pm) at Cregagh Community Centre; Wednesday 18 November (2pm–4pm) at Woodvale Community Centre; Tuesday 24 November (10am–12pm) at Glen Road Community Centre; and Tuesday 8 December (11am–1pm) at Donegall Pass Community Centre.

Residents can also give feedback on the plan's proposed outcomes and actions through an online survey on the council's Your Say platform at yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/.

The Disability Action Plan is a statutory document that confirms the council's compliance with Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended by the Disability Discrimination (NI) Order 2006. The legislation requires public bodies to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and to encourage participation by disabled people in public life.

Following the consultation, the final 2026–2029 plan will be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and will be reviewed every three years.

The draft plan sets out four key outcomes: Delivering for our Communities; Knowing our Communities; Leadership; and having and promoting a Skilled and Diverse Workforce.

Proposed actions include enhancing accessibility for disabled people and sign language users in the design, planning and delivery of council venues, including the Belfast Region City Deal's Belfast Stories project and wider PEACEPLUS initiatives. Among these is the PEACEPLUS-funded Reconnected Belfast scheme to link Waterworks Park and Alexandra Park, with designs featuring a Changing Places facility in each park, inclusive and accessible play areas, and improved signage.

Annual upgrades are proposed across the council estate, including through the Playground Improvement Programme, to boost play value, accessibility and overall quality at selected sites each year. Council events and outreach will continue to build in accessibility features, for example hosting a 'Quiet Christmas' switch-on at 2 Royal Avenue to coincide with the main Belfast Christmas lights event at the front of City Hall each year.

The plan also outlines tailored skills and employability initiatives for people with disabilities, delivered with city employers through bespoke employment academies and the appointment of enterprise champions. It commits to delivering the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Programme and embedding accessibility across wider tourism activity and events.

Further measures include reviewing pedestrian and inclusive access at recycling centres and assessing accessibility for staff at the council's Duncrue resources and fleet accommodation. The council will continue to promote disability and accessibility tools across its websites, social media and internal staff channels, and will evaluate the AccessAble website and app.

The plan proposes improving the use of disability and accessibility data in equality screenings, and reviewing mechanisms that enable disabled people and the D/deaf community to participate in planning and decision-making.

The draft Disability Action Plan 2026–2029 can be viewed at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/equality, and the consultation survey is available via the Your Say platform at yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk/. An Easy Read version is provided on the council website, along with British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language signed versions of the draft plan.