Latest releases
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23 releases
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Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible
Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently outline plans to better autism services and provide support for struggling families, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to act quickly on autism provision ahead of an Assembly motion tomorrow. She cites long assessment waits, a postcode lottery in respite services, and calls for a plan to cut waiting lists and deliver the Autism Strategy.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on autism services and support Original release: Minister must urgently outline plans to better autism services and provide support for struggling families, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong says political institutions should reflect and include people with disabilities. She made the remarks after being selected by the Assembly to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities regional forum in Edinburgh on 20-21 February 2026.
Disability and equality Original release: Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the draft Disability and Work Strategy but says it will only succeed with concrete commitments on community rehabilitation access. He calls for the Department of Health to publish its Community Rehabilitation Framework alongside the strategy…
Disability and equality Health Original release: Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Time to deliver on disability rights, says Donnelly, on publication of PMB report
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA publishes the consultation report on his proposed Disability Rights Bill, which would require public authorities to take account of the UN disability convention, citing 87% support. He calls the bill a vital first step and urges Northern Ireland to act…
Disability and equality Issue: Donnelly Disability Rights Bill consultation report publication Original release: Time to deliver on disability rights, says Donnelly, on publication of PMB report (opens in a new tab)
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Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change
SDLP Councillor Declan Norris calls for urgent action to improve disabled people's access to sport in schools, communities and elite competition, citing an 18% fall in participation over five years according to Disability Sport NI figures. The SDLP urges the Executive to work with schools…
Disability and equality Issue: Disability Sport NI report on falling disabled participation in sport Original release: Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of synchronisation threatens the future of people with disabilities, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for a joint meeting of the Departments for Communities and the Economy to improve disability employment rates, citing a 38.7% disability employment rate against 54.4% in the UK. She highlights Supported Employment from the Mind the Gap report and warns that…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mind the Gap Summit disability employment and Supported Employment report Original release: Lack of synchronisation threatens the future of people with disabilities, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly.
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly urges the public to respond to the consultation on his Private Member's Bill to incorporate the UNCRPD into domestic law, arguing it would help eliminate discrimination against disabled people. He says the Assembly and Executive have not acted since 2009 and calls for a…
Disability and equality Original release: Incorporating UNCRPD into law is essential to eliminate discrimination, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Alliance Health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's plan to invest in children's disability services, including more short breaks and community family and behavioural supports. She says the funding is long overdue and asks for clarity on multi-use…
Health Disability and equality Original release: McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long. (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes £13m multi-year funding from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to increase short break respite for children with disabilities. He says he will seek urgent clarity on the impact on other health services.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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Private Members’ Bill first step towards incorporating UNCRPD in NI, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says his proposed Assembly bill to incorporate the UN disability convention, UNCRPD, into public authority duties is a needed initial move, requiring regular reports on compliance and tackling disability discrimination.
Disability and equality Original release: Private Members’ Bill first step towards incorporating UNCRPD in NI, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says more must be done at Westminster and Stormont to tackle inequalities facing disabled people after a UN committee report on UK compliance with the UNCRPD. He calls on the Executive Office and Department for Communities to act and urges Assembly action on…
Disability and equality Social security and welfare Original release: More must be done to tackle inequalities facing people with disabilities, following report, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes people with learning disabilities, families and support groups to Parliament Buildings to mark Learning Disability Week 2023. She says the event aims to challenge stigma and myths, and that people with learning disabilities should…
Disability and equality Original release: Essential people with learning disabilities are leaders of conversations around their lives, says Armstrong, marking Learning Disabilities Week (opens in a new tab)
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Autism and other services should be provided as standard in council facilities, says Kane
Alliance candidate Lee Kane, standing in Ballymoney for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, urges that autism, ADHD and learning disability-friendly services be standard across council facilities. He also backs Changing Places toilets in council buildings and carer-friendly workplace…
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Autism and other services should be provided as standard in council facilities, says Kane (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, calls on the UK and Irish governments to fund a £40million rescue package to replace expiring European Social Fund money. She says it would keep 1700 community sector jobs and support 17000 people with disabilities…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan says vital autism legislation and the Autism Strategy may be delayed without an agreed budget, citing Health Permanent Secretary Peter May's warning about financial uncertainty and the unfilled Independent Autism Reviewer post. He calls for the strategy to proceed without…
Health Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Launch of crucial Autism Strategy in jeopardy (opens in a new tab)