AQO 1270/22-27 Oral question to the Assembly Commission
To ask the Assembly Commission to outline any plans to consider further adaptations to Parliament Buildings to improve accessibility.
Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 21 November 2024
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 21 November 2024
- Answer due by
- 3 December 2024
- Answered
- 3 December 202412 days after tabling
- Department
- Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 3 December 2024. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr Allen
I thank the Member for her question. Colleagues will know that that is an area in which I have had significant interest since becoming a Member. The Member may be aware that, over the years, the Assembly Commission has introduced a number of physical alterations to the Building and undertaken a number of initiatives to improve Parliament Buildings' accessibility. The Assembly Commission is committed to ensuring that Parliament Buildings is accessible to all, and we are always open to receiving feedback. To that end, the Assembly Commission has commissioned a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) audit. That comprehensive audit will identify any areas in which improvements can be made in order to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. A consultant has been appointed and is doing a preliminary scoping exercise before the survey commences next year. Once the DDA audit is complete, we will carefully consider its findings and develop a plan of action to implement any necessary adaptations. The plan may include making physical modifications to the Building, as well as implementing technological solutions and procedural changes.
Ms Nicholl
I thank the Member for his response. I note that much of the change that has happened is as a result of his being elected, which highlighted how the Building had to be updated. In light of the work being done, what engagement is the Commission having with staff working in the Building who have additional accessibility needs in order to ensure that their voices are heard as the changes are being made?
Mr Allen
As I said to the Member, the Commission is always open to receiving feedback from Members, staff and other interested parties and stakeholders. The Commission regularly engages with a wide cohort of people on accessibility measures. If Members right across the House, staff who may be listening or charities are aware of any particular barriers or accessibility issues, I encourage them to make them known to the Commission. Only if we know about them can we take steps to address them.