Dr. Niall Muldoon:

From our point of view, we need to take the lead from the UNCRPD and start looking at the impairment and the impact that society has on that. Professor Flynn has talked a bit about that as well. That is where we need to match those pieces of legislation with one another so that we are not creating a new definition. We need to acknowledge, given the ratification of the UNCRPD, that we use that definition. The preamble of the UNCRPD - I cannot remember the exact section - contains a definition that we would recommend. It is the socially acceptable way. We recognise that society is what is causing the impairment, so society needs to adjust to meet the needs of all these children and adults with disabilities. That is the sort of definition that becomes child centred and rights based so that it is on us and in our control. It should also be our obligation to make sure that the world fits for these children and gives them every opportunity. That is the definition we would look at following through on.