On both sides of the border there is legislation which aims to acknowledge the rights of disabled people. In the Republic, the 2005 Disability Act uses the following definition

“disability”, in relation to a person, means a substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment;

Northern Ireland, in common with the rest of the U.K., is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. It states:

A disabled person under the Act is anyone with “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect upon his ability to carry out normal day to day activities”

In December 2006, an order amending the DDA came into force and the definition of disability changed. People with HIV, Cancer or MS are now covered under the law from the point of diagnosis.
There have been various other changes, please consult the Equality Commission if you need further advice or information.

Disability Organisations

The directory contains some of the many disability organisations which are either the national body or an umbrella group providing a wide range of services, advice and information. Many of them are based in either Dublin or Belfast but often have affiliate groups throughout the country

There is a difference between organisations OF disabled people (where at least 51% of the executive committee are disabled people) and FOR disabled people where there may be few (if any) disabled people involved in decision- making. new information here...