Skip to main content
In order to provide complete functionality, this web site needs your explicit consent to store browser cookies. If you don't allow cookies, you may not be able to use certain features of the web site including but not limited to: log in, buy products, see personalized content, switch between site cultures. It is recommended that you allow all cookies.
 
 
Want to stay on the right side of the law? We support businesses and public authorities and help them to promote good practice.
 
 

Public Sector seminar

Every Customer Counts

What you need to know

 

Public Sector Seminar (14 June 2016): Every Customer Counts - promoting accessible services

This first 'Every Customer Counts - promoting accessible services' seminar for public sector bodies was attended by 67 public bodies.  It examined the benefit to public sector bodies of signing up to the Every Customer Counts initiative. The seminar also examined the particular challenges faced by public bodies in providing accessible services to disabled customers.

The need to educate and train the staff of public sector service providers in terms of their interaction and engagement with disabled people was an issue of importance identified by all speakers. In addition, the need to provide accessible information regarding service provision, especially in a digital age was highlighted.

Paul Oakes, Advisory Services Manager, Equality Commission NI
Paul outlined the aims of the Every Customer Counts (ECC) initiative and explained the possible benefits that might accrue to public sector bodies of signing up to ECC. These benefits include:
 
  • Assistance in promoting good practice
  • Increasing customer base
  • Compliance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) duties
  • Compliance with Section 75 duties
  • Compliance with Disability Duties (Section 49a and b)
  • Assists with UNCRPD reporting requirements
     

Paul noted that the Commission would work with service providers committed to signing up to ECC and offer a wide package of support, including training and seminars for interested providers.

Richard Morton, Government Digital Service, the Cabinet Office

Richard set the scene of the seminar by noting that “Good services should reflect what the user wants and not require a working knowledge of the inside of government to use”. Richard noted that the increased use of digitalization in providing information on these services could potentially make public services more difficult for some disabled people to access, however, he discussed the work being undertaken by GDS in ensuring that this was not the case.

Richard discussed the current trend for using digital media to inform the public about access to public services. He examined the challenge this poses for the public sector. In respect of disability it requires a significant level of interaction with disabled people and their representative groups to determine how information relating to public services is best promoted using digital and conventional media. He explained how his organisation is building a community “a place to ask questions, share knowledge, experience and establish best practice in relation to accessing public services” and he outlined some of the resources available on the Government Digital Service's website.
 

Shane Hogan, National Disability Authority

Shane noted how universal design and agreement on key principles can change the way public services communicate with customers. However, this required that universal design principles were agreed as a pre-requisite to any service design or delivery. Consequently, engagement was required with disabled people and groups on an ongoing basis and the provision of information needed to be assessed on a regular basis.

In terms of the information used to promote access to public services, Shane emphasised the importance of using plain simple instructions and not using public sector acronyms.  Shane was keen to provide access to the materials provided by the National Disability Authority and noted that a number of tourism bodies across the UK had already taken up his offer.
 

Gabrielle Fitzpatrick McCrickard, Employers for Disability

Gabrielle outlined good practice from two of their member organisations i.e. Antrim Borough Council and the Arts Council for Northern Ireland. Both organisations adopted Employers for Disability's accredited training which formed a key part on the process of developing good practice.
 

Orla McCann, Disability Action NI

Orla promoted the NI Housing Executive as an examplar of good practice regarding user involvement and service provision.

Orla talked about the role of the NIHE consultative forum on disability in which disability groups play a key role in advising the Housing Executive on relevant public policy issues. Orla also stressed the importance of respecting the dignity of disabled people when providing services, emphasizing the importance of not using discriminatory or disempowering language and seeing disabled people as customers.

In particular, Orla highlighted the importance for service providers of getting attitudes right with regard to their interaction with disabled customers, acknowledging that very often a lack of awareness on the part of the service provider rather than prejudice can be the source of poor attitudes towards disabled customers. However, this is not to negate the reality of prejudice and discrimination which is clearly an issue affecting disabled people’s access to services.
 
 
 
Print All