Member's statement: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Member's statement by Mr Danny Donnelly on .
- MLA
- Mr Danny Donnelly
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 3 December 2024
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4690742
Read the official Assembly record
Text
As has been mentioned, today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is appropriate that we take time to consider the continuing barriers that people with disabilities face in our society. The theme for this year is:
"Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future".
It is right that we seek to amplify the voices of the many passionate and determined campaigners who improve the lives of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland. Organisations such as Disability Action, the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), My Way Access, Mencap and many more have been working here for years to support and advocate the rights of people with disabilities. Last week, we debated the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into our local law. It was encouraging that the Assembly endorsed that essential legislative change. The UNCRPD is recognised as the gold standard for equality rights. While the UK has been a signatory since 2009, it has not sought to fully incorporate the convention, and political instability here has resulted in a widening gap in equality legislation between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Today, I am launching a public consultation on a Member's Bill that would introduce a new "due regard" principle on public authorities in respect of our obligations under the UNCRPD. Such a Bill would represent a positive first step towards recognising the importance of the UNCRPD and improving the conditions for people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Given the shortened time that we have to legislate, equality for people with disabilities cannot be postponed any longer or delayed until the next mandate. I look forward to engaging with other Members and continuing to engage with the relevant sectors to develop the proposal. I encourage everyone to read and respond to the consultation.
314 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.93).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.04 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.01 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.93 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Disability (including neurodivergence and mental health), disabled people and disability or sickness benefits | 1.00 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:41 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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