Action Measure

Timeframe

Performance Indicator

Expected Outcome

Responsibility

2.1

2.1.1

Raise awareness to employers and people living with disabilities of initiatives, projects and training offered by Council, in partnership with others.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Awareness and engagement activities held with employers and support organisations.

Increased awareness by both people living with disabilities and employers to the support available to employ those with disabilities

Skills & Entrepreneurship Manager

2.1.2

Continue to work with a range of organisations as the Procuring Authority to improve access to employability.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Actively engaging with disability support organisations via the Labour Market Partnership.

Development of interventions to support those with disabilities.

Skills & Entrepreneurship Manager

2.1.3

Review the Labour Market Partnership (LMP) Action Plan to consider future Council work experience placements for people living with disabilities.

2023-2024

Year 1

Completion of a review of the Labour Market Partnership Action Plan.

Provide support for people living with disabilities to gain work experience and valuable skills within Council. 

Skills & Entrepreneurship Manager

2.1.4

Continue to engage with special needs schools and employers to promote career opportunities, skills and activities associated with the Science Summer School.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Continued engagement

Attendance at the Science Summer School NI.

Link employees with special needs schools in the Borough to encourage engagement and provide students the experience of the Science Summer School.

Skills and Entrepreneurship manager

2.2

2.2.1

Create and maintain a database of images to increase visibility of people with disabilities in all Council material. 

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Biannual review

Promotes positive attitudes towards disabled people.

Communications

2.2.2

Council will strive to provide subtitles for online videos across social media platforms and facilitate remote access to Council meetings.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Biannual review

Increased participation of people living with disabilities in public life.

Digital Innovation & Procurement

Communications

2.3

2.3.1

Strive to provide additional survey formats such as online, hard copy and easy read options and introduce household visits for those living with disabilities.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Biannual review of the number of surveys that required assistance.

Additional survey formats will widen participation with Council resulting in a broader viewpoint from the Borough demographic.

Town Centre Development team

Facilities Management & Waste

Policy Team

2.4

2.4.1

Council will maintain and publish text only versions of all communications to enable the use of easy readers.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Annual review

Will ensure those with vision impairment/learning difficulties have equal access to all communications from Council.

All Departments

2.4.2

Council will publish staff profiles and case studies to promote key job roles and work completed by each department.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Number of staff profiles / case studies provided

A better understanding of the internal workings of Council to promote confidence in Council participation.

All Departments

2.4.3

Continued implementation of screening requirements in relation to new and amended policies.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Completed screening forms for 100% of policies screened.

All new or amended policies will incorporate the disability duties where appropriate.

All Departments

2.5

2.5.1

Conduct induction training for all new employees:

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

All new starts will receive training.

Increased awareness of disability legislation and understanding of issues relating to service users

Learning and Development Manager

2.5.2

Provide equality and disability training for elected members and all Council staff.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Number of elected members and employees trained 

Increased awareness of disability legislation and understanding of issues relating service users.

Learning Development Manager

2.5.3

Council will deliver the commitments of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Mental Health Charter.

2023-2024

Year 1

Implementation of the Charter

By delivering the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s Charter, Council is committed to employee mental health and wellbeing.

Learning and Development Manager

2.6

2.6.1

Establish an inter-departmental Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Network.

2023-2024

Year 1

Develop Terms of Reference and hold the first meeting.

Will improve internal communications to share good practice and coordinate EDI projects within all departments.

Policy Team

All Departments

2.6.2

Hold internal Equality Diversity & Inclusion Network meetings.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

12 meetings per year

Ensures a collective approach and best practice to services provided to people living with disabilities.

Policy Team

2.6.3

Work with the Local Government Equality and Diversity Group to establish a baseline on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Northern Ireland local government.

2023-2027

Ongoing

Year 1-4

Fulfil the Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Baseline And Impact Study Action Plans.

Participation by Council will help prioritise and influence equality, good relations and diversity initiatives across local government in Northern Ireland.

Policy Team

Council to notify Section 75 consultee mailing list of any Council led consultations.

2023-2027

Year 1-4

Council will send internal job vacancy advertisements out to the Section 75 mailing list.

2023-2027

Year 1-4