Cavan County Council has four strategic objectives which we intend to use to deliver on our mission over the next five years.
Our Strategic Objectives
- A - Planning
Change the way we work, so that planning for people with disabilities is an intrinsic part of what we do.
- B - Environment
Make real improvements to the accessibility of Cavan's public spaces and buildings.
- C - Services
Deliver best practice for people with disabilities in our services.
- D - Spreading the word
Influence other key organisations.
Strategic Objective A
Planning: Change the way we work, so that planning for people with disabilities is an intrinsic part of what we do
Planning for inclusion is vital if we are to achieve our aims. This strategic objective will be achieved through seven actions:
Action 1
We will develop and implement this Disability Strategy, making sure that a fully inclusive consultation process informs its progress. New demands, challenges and opportunities arise constantly. The implementation process will enable priorities to change in response to altered circumstances during the 2009-2013 time-frame.
Action 2
To make sure that we get the best from our partnership approach, we will strengthen and develop the role of the CRAIC Advisory Group. We will make sure that it meets regularly and that its views are listened to and taken fully into account.
Action 3
The CRAIC Team will act as a resource to the various County Council departments as they develop the practical actions necessary for achieving these objectives. These actions will feature the annual Business Plans of all Sections.
Action 4
The CRAIC Team will monitor the delivery and assess the progress of the Strategy. lt will report on the Strategy and the Disability lmplementation Plan to the CRAIC Advisory Group and the Senior Management Team.
Action 5
The Senior Management Team will assess the impact of advances made.
Action 6
Accessibility proofing of all council policies and procedures will become standard practice.
Action 7
We will participate in accessibility award schemes such as the NDAs Excellence through Accessibility Awards and the 02 Awards. These activities help to motivate and support us in delivering excellence and in embedding accessibility in the organisation.
Strategic Objective B
Environment: Make real improvements to the accessibility of Cavan's public spaces and buildings
For Cavan County Council, universal accessibility to public spaces means access for all people, irrespective of any disabilities that they may have. This strategic objective will be achieved through seven actions:
Action 1
We will make our existing public spaces and buildings universally accessible, as far as our funding allows. We want to deliver universal accessibility by 2015, but this is subject to significant resources being made available.
Action 2
To finance the work, we will optimise the monies available through National Disability Strategy funding and other sources, as appropriate.
Action 3
We will ensure that all new developments in the council-built environment comply with best accessibility standards.
Action 4
Accessibility will be a central and explicit concern in our maintenance and management procedures for the built environment.
Action 5
We will make sure that, to the greatest extent possible, the external environment becomes fully accessible to people with disabilities. We will prioritise the features that people with disabilities name as priorities, notably development of accessible parking and set down facilities, public transport stops, access routes to accessible entrances and the accessibilitv of urban roads and footpaths.
Action 6
We will ensure that all public service areas in Council buildings and environments are fully accessible. We will prioritise the provision of good signage, poweroperated doors in wide entrances, lifts, reception desks, accessible toilet facilities, seating and induction loops.
Action 7
We will provide safe access to and egress from Council buildings for people with disabilities, giving particular attention to egress in emergency situations.
Strategic Obejective C
Services: Deliver best practice for people with disabilities in our services
Every resident of County Cavan deserves to be able to access best-quality services. This strategic objective will be achieved through ten actions:
Action 1
We will ensure that all our customer care and equality policies and procedures address the needs of people with disabilities explicitly.
Action 2
We will develop and deliver best-quality inquiry and complaints procedures on access-related issues. We will promote awareness among both staff and the public of key Council access roles (for example the Access Officer, Inquiry Officer; CRAIC Advisory Group and the CRAIC Team).
Action 3
We will continue to develop and deliver an integrated training programme for staff and elected members. We will make sure that all elected members and staff receive disability equality training. We will give priority for additional training to key decision-makers, policy-makers and frontline staff. We will evaluate the training programme each year.
Action 4
We will implement the accessibility actions identified in our Communications Strategy 2008, giving priority to the accessibility of Council documentation, the use of plain english and making information available in different formats.
Action 5
We will use advances in accessible information technology to make it easier for people with disabilities to use our services. We will:
- Achieve conformance level Double-A with the Web Accessibility lnitiative's (WAl) Web content accessibility guidelines.
- Achieve conformance with the relevant NDA lT accessibility guidelines for all computers, kiosks and other public terminals used by the public.
- Offer adaptive and assistive technology for the public in our library service and for staff who need it in the workplace.
Action 6
We will use our Meeting and Training Checklist to ensure that all public events organised by Cavan County Council take place in accessible venues and are conducted in an accessible manner.
Action 7
We will carry out a review of job descriptions and job structures so that we can take positive action to promote the employment and career development of people with disabilities. We will develop and put in place a code of practice for the employment of people with disabilities in our organisation.
Action 8
We will integrate accessibility into all recruitment procedures.
Action 9
We will work to ensure that we attract and retain staff with disabilities. We will make sure that we provide working environments suited to their needs.
Action 10
We will develop our public procurement policy to ensure that the goods and services we purchase conform to best-quality accessibility standards.
Strategic Objective D
Spreading the word: Influence other key organisations
Cavan County Council plays a pivotal role in the ongoing development of our county. Council policy-makers and decision-makers are involved in key agencies and networks. We want to make sure that our enthusiasm for accessibility results in more usable environments and services for everyone. This strategic objective will be achieved through seven actions:
Action 1
We in Cavan County Council are committed to showing leadership on accessibility in Cavan actively and consciously. We will seek out every opportunity to inform and persuade other organisations in the public, business, community and voluntary sectors of the benefits of committing to universal accessibility. ln particular, we will galvanise the County Development Board to actively promote co-ordination of services for local people with disabilities.
Action 2
As they are developed, we will make our best practice accessibility policies, procedures, models and templates available to other agencies in Cavan.
Action 3
We will use local media to enable us to inform people with disabilities about what we are doing and what is available to them. The media can help to deliver the message that planning for people with disabilities and delivering universally accessible services and facilities is a winner for every organisation.
Action 4
We will continue to participate in access awards schemes to promote the benefits of the universal accessibility approach.
Action 5
We will ensure that accessibility criteria feature appropriately in briefs and specifications aimed at architects, consultants and other suppliers. (See also Strategic Objective C, Services, Action 10).
Action 6
We will use our influence to comment on relevant national policies and procedures that impact on the lives of local people with disabilities. We will continue to participate in national accessibility events and steering groups such as the LGMSB Disability Act Steering Group, LGMSB Disability lmplementation Sub-Group on Built Environment Access and the North East lndependent Living (NEIL) Sub-Group. We will communicate our learning with relevant audiences, including Government Departments and other national agencies.
Action 7
We will grasp all opportunities that arise to develop awareness of universal accessibility in Cavan, such as the Disabled Go! Initiative.