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The Office for Disability Issues (ODI):
Access to good public information enables disabled people to make informed choices and have control over their lives.
The ODI is responsible for the `Disabled people' and `Caring for someone' sections of the Directgov website www.direct.gov.uk/disability and www.direct.gov.uk/carers. The site brings together a wide range of public service information and services online.
A new interactive online service was launched in July 2006. This makes it easier for disabled people to find the location of parking bays in 64 cities across the UK. In the last year, an extended and improved version of the map has been commissioned.
Directgov provides information from across government on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services. The website attracts around 300,000 visitors every month.
The ODI also has its own website, http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/, which is a source of information for disabled people and departments. In June 2007, the site was tested by expert users and found to reach the highest (AAA) level of accessibility.
A subsequent redesign was overseen by a steering group with members from RNID, The Rix Centre, Disability rights Commission and Equality 2025.
Providing good public information for disabled people is not just about accessible formats. It is also about having a strategy in place to meet the needs of disabled people.
The ODI is running a project to support public organisations in providing disabled people with better access to the information they need about public services.
The first phase of the project produced five core information principles. These help public sector communicators and service providers deliver high quality and accessible communications to disabled people. These five principles are to:
The ODI is now working with four local authorities (Cheshire, Croydon, North Tyneside and Surrey) to put these principles into practice and assess them. The assessment process will explore the views of people and organisations in the local areas. It will also talk to disabled people about the five principles and how the local authorities have used them to improve their information.
The Images of Disability initiative is now led by the ODI. It provides a package of training and support for government communicators. This supports them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to plan, design and deliver more accessible communications, as well as meet the requirements of disability legislation.
The ODI also leads a cross-government group with membership from all central government departments. The group aims to support the government's strategy for equality by improving the quality and consistency of communications with and about disabled people.
Sponsoring two awards ceremonies has helped the ODI to raise awareness of disability and draw attention to good practice. The `Diversity and Equality' category at The Guardian Public Services Awards 2007 recognised organisations or services which were able to demonstrate they had taken an inclusive, accessible approach. Breakthrough's Independent Living Awards celebrated organisations and initiatives which have led the way in supporting disabled people to be independent.
ODI also helped to support the Department for Work and Pensions' work with employers by producing a new public information film. The film, `Disabled/enabled', highlights the importance of making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. It has been shown 28,000 times on both terrestrial and satellite channels.
Page last reviewed: 11 August 2008