The Ministers for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Charlie McConalogue TD, have welcomed the launch of the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030, aimed at promoting greater inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in culture, sport, and media. The strategy is designed to support independent living and enable people with disabilities to actively participate in an inclusive society.
Minister Patrick O’Donovan emphasized his commitment to implementing the strategy’s goals within the Culture, Communications, and Sport sectors. He highlighted the importance of fostering independence and ensuring that people with disabilities can engage across all sectors under his department with the support of relevant agencies.
Minister McConalogue noted that the strategy will strengthen inclusion in the sporting sector, with direct investment through Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies, supported by a newly appointed Disability Sport Lead. He described this approach as having transformational potential for promoting participation in sports among people with disabilities.
The strategy includes specific actions under Commitment 8, which focuses on Participation in Social and Cultural Life. These actions involve implementing Sport Ireland’s Disability Inclusion in Sport Statement, appointing a Disability Sport Lead, and providing targeted investment to enhance sports participation for people with disabilities.
In the media and communications sector, the strategy encourages accessible audiovisual content through subtitling, Irish Sign Language, and audio description, with monitoring and enforcement by Coimisiún na Meán to ensure compliance. Innovative digital solutions are also planned to expand ISL provision for news content.
Accessibility principles are being embedded across capital investment schemes, including the Sports Capital Programme, and barriers in the Night-Time Economy are being addressed based on survey findings. The strategy aims to increase participation of disabled audiences and creators in arts and cultural events nationwide.
Finally, the strategy promotes equal participation of disabled artists and arts workers by enhancing supports through a new disability access policy and improving disability-friendly working conditions, ensuring a more inclusive cultural and creative sector.
