Dr. Aideen Hartney:

The National Disability Authority thank the Chair and the members of the committee for the opportunity to present on this topic. The authority provides independent and evidence-informed advice to the Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of disabled people. We also incorporate a centre for excellence in universal design, promoting the design of physical and digital environments in order that they can be accessed, understood and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability.

Census 2016 figures indicate that disabled people make up 13.5% of the population, with census 2022 figures likely to show an increase. While we do not have an accurate figure for the number of disabled artists in Ireland, the Arts Council 2020 report on its awards indicates that less than 7% of those awards went to artists who declared a disability.

The NDA is aware from its work that some of the key barriers to attending artistic events relate to accessibility. In a 2022 survey we commissioned on well-being and social inclusion, 27% of people with a disability found visiting a cinema, theatre or cultural centre somewhat or very difficult, compared with 12% of people without a disability. Part M of the building regulations sets out minimum provisions for the access and use of buildings and requires that new buildings are accessible and usable by people with disabilities. We advise, therefore, that to facilitate participation in artistic and cultural activities, those responsible for venues should work to increase their accessibility and, where possible, to move beyond minimum compliance. Improvements will benefit not only disabled people but also older persons and families with young children. Where local authorities have the opportunity to make the approaches to arts and cultural venues accessible, they should do so and, where possible, those venues should be located close to accessible public transport hubs. Accessibility encompasses not only the physical premises in which an event takes place but also pre-event information and booking processes. Websites for events or venues should be accessible to all users, and electronic terminals for ticketing should be designed and procured with accessibility in mind. That will shortly become mandatory on transposition of the European Accessibility Act into Irish legislation. We advise that there are a number of ways in which artistic performances can be made more accessible, including blended or streamed performances, audio description, ISL translation and provision of induction loop systems, captioning or relaxed performances for those with sensory difficulties.

We also advise that consideration be given to ways in which disabled people wishing to make a career in the arts can be supported. At present, there are barriers in terms of income thresholds that can mean that disabled artists risk losing some or all of their State supports if they earn in excess of a certain amount. We heard about that earlier. Research also shows that having a disability can generate additional costs of living and, therefore, we advise that the earnings disregard for people on disability allowances is kept under regular review.

During 2023, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will lead the development of a UNCRPD implementation strategy. That strategy will set out a series of commitments for all Departments to ensure progressive realisation of the goals of the convention. Article 30 commits states to taking all appropriate measures to ensure that disabled people enjoy access to cultural materials and activities and have the opportunity to participate as artists. The NDA advises the importance of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media considering priority areas for attention within its remit, informed by engagement with disabled people and their representative organisations, as well as engaging constructively with other Departments and agencies relevant to improving access to the arts at local level, in order that clear goals can be committed to and delivered under the forthcoming strategy.