Action Measure

Timeframe

Performance Indicator

Expected Outcome

Responsibility

1.1

1.1.1

Ensure sufficient notice of a change in the bin collection schedule.

2023-2027

Circulation of bin collection changes 4 times before occurrence.

Appropriate information provision will reduce disruption to Council Services experienced by people living with disabilities.

Neighbourhood Services

1.1.2

Promote availability of information leaflets at Waste facilities detailing amenities on offer such as assistance services and braille bin collection calendars.

2023-2027

Biannually

Provision of new leaflet.

Provision of braille version of bin collection calendar upon request

Ensures Council waste services are inclusive and accessible to all.

Neighbourhood Services

1.1.3

Commit to standardising policy around extra capacity waste and assistant lifts.

2024-2025

Year 2

Revised Policy

A standardised additional residual waste capacity service across the Borough, supported by assisted waste collections.

Neighbourhood Services

1.2

1.2.1

Promote Council’s reporting and noise apps that facilitate remote contact with Council.

2023-2027

Quarterly

Include in the Community Health & Wellbeing Ezine.

Increased awareness of alternative ways to communicate with Council.

Environmental Health Manager

1.2.2

Provide ‘How To’ sessions on operating both apps. 

2023-2024

Year 1

At least two sessions

Improved communications with people living with disabilities

Environmental Health Manager

1.3

1.3.1

Council will provide town centre businesses with details about how to report dog fouling and request a clean-up.

2023-2024

Year 1

Awareness campaign developed and rolled out with all town centre businesses

Increased reporting of dog fouling will improve navigation of town centre streets for people living with disabilities.

Town Centre Development Team

1.3.2

Facilitate information gathering sessions between town centre businesses and with various charities.

2023-2027

Biannually

Number of information sessions.

Increased shared knowledge of best practice and enhancement of education around the needs of varying disabilities.

Town Centre Development Team

1.3.3

Council will commit to consider access assistance applications during town centre development disruption.

2023-2027

Number of applications received and approved.

Access assistance provision will minimise disruption to town centre employees living with a disability during the disruption period.

Town Centre Development Team

Council to hold town centre events that are inclusive and accessible for all.

2023-2027

Ongoing

1.4

1.4.1

Expand MEAqua Little Stars Pan Disability swim lessons (5-9 years) to all 3 leisure centres within the Borough and increase the number of classes.

2023-2024

2025-2026

2026-2027

Year 1

Implementation at Larne and Seven Towers leisure centres.

Year 3:

2 x classes in each pool

Year 4

4 x classes in each pool

Increased participation and sense of independence of disabled people in physical activity.

Aquatic Lead

1.4.2

Develop MEAqua Little Stars Pan Disability swim lessons to include a second class for an older age group (10-13 years).

2025-2027

Year 3:

2 x classes in each pool

Year 4

4 x classes in each pool

More children living with a disability learning to swim within the Borough.

Aquatic Lead

1.4.3

Expand MEAqua swimming lessons for special needs schools and MEActive quiet sessions to within all 3 boroughs. 

2023-2024

Year 1:

Implement classes in the Amphitheatre Leisure Centre.

More children living with a disability learning to swim within the Borough

Aquatic Lead

1.4.4

Continue to develop integrated swimming for special educational needs (SEN).

2025-2027

Year3

2 x classes in each pool

Year 4

4 x classes in each pool

Increased integrated swimming classes will increase participation numbers and provide a greater sense of independence to people living with a disability.

Aquatic Lead

1.5

1.5.1

Develop and deliver a range of inclusive sport and physical activity programmes and events, to increase the skills, knowledge and confidence of people with a disability.

2023-2027

MEActive

2023-2027

Move More

2024-2026

Love to Move

Year 1-4

450 per year

More people living with a disability and/or with a cancer diagnosis taking part in sport and/or physical activity both independently and with assistance where needed.

Sports Development Unit

Year 1-4

90 per year

Year 2

Year 3

4 groups

6 groups

1.5.2

Establish and integrate Get Out Get Active (GOGA) initiatives into existing MEActive structure

2023-2027

Year 1-3

2- 4 GOGA initiatives

More people living with a disability taking part in sport and/or physical activity both independently and with assistance where needed.

Sports Development Unit

1.5.3

Continue to develop and deliver PAN Disability Junior and Adult clubs in all 3 leisure centres within the Borough.

2023-2027

Year 1-4

30 per year

More children and young adults living with a disability getting regular opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity on a weekly basis.

Sports Development Unit

1.5.4

Promote and re-establish Inclusive Bike Hire sessions in Carrick and Larne.

2023-2025

Year 1-2

Carrick – 4

Larne – 4

(subject to funding)

Improved access to inclusive bikes and are able to participate with their families.

Sports Development Unit

1.6

1.6.1

Continue rollout of the autism friendly workshop programme and the social media campaign highlighting autism friendly activities/facilities in Mid and East Antrim.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1–4

4 additional ‘Autism Friendly’ virtual or in person public sessions for businesses, Council staff or local community

Year 1-4

=>90% of attendees reporting that their knowledge of autism increased as a result of training.

Improve the awareness of autism within the Borough and reduce health inequalities.

Community Planning & Development

1.6.2

The continued rollout of ‘Just A Minute’ (JAM) Awareness Training to Council staff

2023-2027

Year 1-4

100 additional Council staff attending training.

Additional Council staff trained on ‘Just a Minute’ (JAM).

Community Planning & Development

1.6.3

Council will initiate a communications program around the benefits of JAM cards.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Number of communication programs

Increased awareness that could benefit many people living with disabilities within the Borough

Community Planning & Development

1.6.4

In partnership with external organisations, maintain the social media promotion of  training opportunities and events to support autistic families in the Borough

2023-2027

Year 1-4
Number of social media promotions.

To raise awareness of the needs of those with Autism and ensure appropriate steps are taken.

Community Planning & Development

1.7

1.7.1

Council will consider accessibility in parks and open spaces and improve access to facilities. 

2023-2024

Year 1

Metres of path improvements.

Will increase park access to people living with disabilities in the Borough.

Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager (East Antrim)

1.7.2

Investment in play parks to include accessible, inclusive and sensory equipment.

2023/2024

Year 1

Number of parks fitted with accessible, inclusive and sensory equipment.

Will increase the number of parks accessible to people living with disabilities.

Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager (East Antrim)

1.7.3

Deliver a programme of accessible/inclusive activities during Council’s Love Parks Week.

2023-2027

Annually

Year 1-4

Number of activities delivered at Love Parks Week

Enhance inclusivity to people living with disabilities in Council events. 

Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager (East Antrim)

1.7.4

Raise awareness of the ‘Quiet Hour’ available at People’s Park and launch 2 sensory experiences in People’s Park and Carnfunnock Country Park.

2023/2024

Year 1

Number of sensory experiences.

Increased promotion using Council’s S75 mailing list and social media.

Parks become more inclusive to ensure opportunities for children regardless of their needs and abilities.

Parks and Open Spaces Development Manager (East Antrim)

1.8

1.8.1

Manage and monitor development of an accessible Corporate Council website and ensure compliance with Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

All websites offered by Council to comply with the regulations. 

Equality of opportunity to Council services and facilities for those with a disability through enhanced accessibility and encouraged participation

All relevant departments

1.9

1.9.1

Design, implement and promote the #MEAccessible campaign.

2023-2024

Year 1

Include in Council communications, social media and promotion on waste trucks

Promotion of Council’s new policy

Policy Team

Facilities Management & Waste

1.10

1.10.1

Ensure all major events organized are accessible and promptly communicate a change in availability of Mobiloos/changing places.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

The booking of Mobiloos/changing places facilities at Council events.

Increased access to Council events to people living with disabilities.

Communications

Council will commit to advertising the location of all changing facilities for all corporate events

2023-2027

Year 1-4

Council will work with alternative methods of communication such as the Talking Newsletter where appropriate.

2023-2027

Year 1-4

Will increase awareness of Council events and initiatives among citizens who are unable to take advantage of the usual methods of communication.

1.11

1.11.1

Publication of a schedule of accessible friendly events held by all relevant departments.

2023-2027

Quarterly

Year 1-4

4 x accessibility schedules published per year.

Increased governance in organising future attendance at Council events. 

Communications

Town Centre

Development

Parks Development

Policy Team

1.12

1.12.1

Deliver three accessible theatre performances.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Annually

Increased access to people living with disabilities to Council events.

Arts & Culture Manager

1.12.2

Roll out of Tourism Access for All booking scheme onto MEA Website.

2023-2024

Year 1

Booking scheme available on MEA Website.

Increased access to people living with disabilities to Council events.

Arts & Culture Manager

1.12.3

Develop Tourism Access for All scheme to have 150 members

2024-2025

Year 2

150 members

Increased access to people living with disabilities to Council events.

Arts & Culture Manager

1.13

1.13.1

Facilitate a skills development program for tourism businesses, including one business which facilitates tours for disabled people

2023-2024

Year 1

Biannual review

Offer tailored equality and diversity awareness information to key delivery partners, contractors and interested groups within the Borough.

Tourism Development Team

Recognise Dementia Action Week and publicise each year to raise awareness of dementia and local support services.

2023-2027

Year 1-4

Council’s participation in Dementia Action Week

Council will commit to ongoing meetings of the Dementia Steering Group which will ensure the Borough remains dementia friendly.

2023-2027

Year 1-4

4 meetings of the Dementia Steering Group each year.

The Dementia Steering Group to ensure training targets are delivered.

2023-2027

‘Dementia Friendly Communities’ training sessions delivered per year in the Borough.

Evaluation forms used at training sessions will monitor impact regarding whether knowledge of dementia has improved as a result of attending training.