Promoting Human Rights for Disabled People

1821: legislation passed for ‘District Lunatic Asylums’ (still in place in Northern Ireland comes into being).

1932: Mental Health Act (NI) passed into law.

1930’s: Nazis forcibly sterilise 360,000 disabled people.

1939 – 1941: Nazis systematically murder some 250,000 disabled people under their Action T4 ‘purity programme’.

1944: Disabled Persons (Employment) Act provides the first definition of a disabled person (rather than an impairment specific definition).

1945: 300,000 armed service personnel and civilians in the UK acquired disabilities arising from World War 2.

1948: Health Services Act (NI) 1948 is passed in Northern Ireland along with other legislation such as the National Assistance Act. Keeping in line with developments in England.

1948: Mental Health Act passes and move towards a more therapeutic approach albeit in institutional settings.

1950’s: By the end of the 1950’s inpatient numbers at psychiatric hospitals are peaking. Hollywell having over 800 residents and Downshire over 1,100.

1950’s: A standing Committee on disability under what is now the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is established and would eventually become Disability Action.

1959: Muckamore Abbey Hospital opens to offer treatment through training for people with learning disabilities.

1960: Parkanaur College opens as a specialist further education college for students aged 18+.

1961: Minister for Health Enoch Powell speech in Westminster signals the policy shift to ‘community care’ in mental health and learning disability.

1963: Industrial Therapy Organisation (ITO) formed at Downshire Hospital becomes the organisation Action mental Health and extends their work across Northern Ireland.

1972: Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972 comes into law.

1973: Direct Rule begins in Northern Ireland and 26 local councils are established.

1976: The Mobility Allowance is introduced. This is a cash benefit to allow people to pay for travel costs.

1978: Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (NI) Act comes into law. Gives rights to disabled people in relation to practical assistance in the home, provision of meals and participating in services.

1981: International Year of Disabled Persons - designated by the UN.

1986: Mental Health (NI) - change to mental health legislation - creation of more rights to challenge.

1989: Disabled Persons (NI) Act 1989 creates a specific duty in relation to assessments.

1989: Northern Ireland Council on Disability becomes and independent organisation.

1990's: Rights Now Campaign grew in strength and disabled people took to the streets to protest about the lack of rights.

1991: PPRU Survey on disability produces the first study of numbers and circumstances of disabled people in Northern Ireland.

1993/1994: Ceasefires called in NI by paramilitary organisations.

1995: Disability Discrimination Act comes into law.

1996: NI Disability Council regulations passed for it's creation in NI.

1996: Disability Rights Fund established with £1 funding from EU Peace Programme.

1998: Good Friday / Belfast Agreement is signed in Belfast. This is widely acknowledged as the end of the 'troubles'.

1988: The Northern Ireland Act 1998 brings forward legislation that will establish devolved governments in NI. Many elements also relate to equality and human rights provisions.

1998: Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act brings forward Statutory Duties to promote equality of opportunity and good relations (which includes disabled people).

1999: Equality Commission takes over the function of the Northern Ireland Disability Council.

2000 - 2010

2001: Centre for Independent Living Northern Ireland is established.

2003: International Year of Persons with Disabilities designated by the UN. A series of programmes and events take place across Northern Ireland.

2004: Promoting Social Inclusion Group on Disability established by OFMDFM to develop a disability strategy.

2004: Formal recognition of British and Irish Sign Language (BSL and ISL).

2005: Special Education and Disability (NI) Order comes into force. Gives stronger educational rights for disabled people.

2006: Disability Discrimination Order (NI) comes into force. It places new duties on public authorities.

2007: United Nations General Assembly adopts the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

2007: Following another period of political instability the NI Assembly and Executive return.

2009: UK ratifies the UNCRPD with a number of reservations.

2009: Promoting Social Inclusion Disability Reports are published by OFMDFM with 82 recommendations for government.