Appendix 1

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Develop and implement a programme of works to make public buildings which ESB occupy, manage or control accessible over the period 2006 to 2015;

Yes

The ESB Customer Service Engineer and Facilities Manager between them have responsibility for all ESB premises.

Since ESB shops closed, the trend now is for customers to make contact via The ESB Contact Centre rather than by personal calls to ESB premises.

In the larger premises – the ESB are very conscious of access for callers with disabilities as these are the primary points of personal contact between the public and ESB personnel, and all of these are compliant with the concepts of universal access.

All new ESB construction and refurbishment projects, which involve the professional input of architects (Building and Construction Group, ESB International) comply with Building Regulations Part M, and the concepts of universal access are thoroughly explored in the design stages of each project and carried through to construction where practicable.

Put a procedure in place to ensure that account is taken of the NDA code of practice when buildings are being refurbished or new buildings are being built.

Yes

Identify buildings, if any, that are to be exempted and consult with other relevant bodies before a Ministerial Order is finalised to lay before the Oireachtas

No

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Review the accessibility of mainstream public services and where practicable and appropriate identify actions necessary to make them accessible;

Yes

ESB is committed to ensuring that its services are as convenient and efficient as possible for all its customers. As part of this commitment, the ESB introduced a Customer Care Programme for older people and people with disabilities and intends to launch a new brochure on “Customers with Special Needs” This will be featured on the ESB web site.

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes                 No

If yes, brief description

Appoint at least one access officer who will have responsibility for providing, or arranging the co-ordination of the assistance and guidance necessary to facilitate persons with disabilities to access services;

Yes

At present one officer’s role includes that of Access Officer. However the ESB are currently exploring how best to enhance and profile this role.

Ensure that the public is aware of the availability of an access officer;

Yes

Identify and source expertise to advise on making services accessible to people with disabilities.

Yes

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Review public procurement policy and procedures;

Yes

The ESB Procurement Manager is aware of the need to include accessibility in the tendering procedure and these are criteria which is stipulated.

Establish procedures to ensure that accessibility requirements are specified in tender documentation and associated criteria for selection of successful tenders.

Yes

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes         No

If yes, brief description

Review arrangements for providing information to the public;

Establish procedures and identify sources for securing accessible formats for information provided by the Department or body;

Establish timescales for processing requests from the public for accessible information;

Promote the availability of accessible formats to the customers;

Review accessibility of public websites for which you are responsible

Yes

Some of the initiatives included under the “Customers with Special Needs” programme are as follows:

Text Phones (Minicoms) which allows people with a hearing disability to communicate using a screen on their telephone.

Braille Bills are provided on request for customers who are visually impaired.

Talking Bills are provided on request for customers who are visually impaired.

Large Print Bills are provided on request for customers with a visual disability

Redirecting Bills – A trusted friend or relative can be nominated to receive your electricity bill in order that it can be dealt with according to your instructions.

Sympathetic Hearing – Some staff have been trained to communicate with customers who have hearing difficulties.

Register of Customers with Home Medical Equipment – For customers depending on electric medical equipment we will make every effort to ensure to keep a continuous supply of electricity.

It is usual practice throughout ESB to communicate with persons with hearing, sight or cognitive difficulties in a format which meets their individual needs.

Regarding electronic communications, the ESB Internet site www.esb.ie has recently been externally-audited for accessibility and compatibility with adaptive technology. It currently complies with international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-Level A). The site is scheduled for complete revision, part of which will involve upgrading to the higher WCAG AA Level.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Ensure that procedures are in place to monitor compliance with 3% target;

Yes

ESB has already exceeded the 3% figure ((5.5% in 2004)

All job advertisements, both internal and external, state that ‘ESB is an Equal Opportunities Employer’. All potential employees are asked to indicate if they have any special needs when it comes to attending interviews.

As part of the 2005 Apprenticeship Recruitment Campaign, a reader was provided to dyslexic applicants during aptitude tests. The ESB also allowed extra time for these applicants.

Consider and implement, as appropriate, positive actions to ensure compliance with the target.

Yes

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Develop and implement a programme of works to make public buildings which you occupy, manage or control accessible over the period 2006 to 2015;

Yes

Review all sanitary accommodation, lifts, automate access doors to all public areas, full review of accommodation in progress

Identify buildings, if any, that are to be exempted and consult with other relevant bodies before a Ministerial Order is finalised to lay before the Oireachtas;

YES

Montrose House and Mount Errol are both protected structures. Remedial works will be restricted in both cases.

Put a procedure in place to ensure that account is taken of the NDA code of practice when buildings are being refurbished or new buildings are being built.

Yes

Part of the Facilities Management Work Practice Model.

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes             No

If yes, brief description

Review the accessibility of mainstream public services and where practicable and appropriate identify actions necessary to make them accessible;

Yes

See Section 25

Appoint at least one access officer who will have responsibility for providing, or arranging the co-ordination of the assistance and guidance necessary to facilitate persons with disabilities to access services;

No

Appointment of Access Officer being examined at present

Ensure that the public is aware of the availability of an access officer;

No

see above

Identify and source expertise to advise on making services accessible to people with disabilities.

No

see above

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes No

If yes, brief description

Review public procurement policy and procedures;

A review of RTÉ’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures is planned in 2006.

Establish procedures to ensure that accessibility requirements are specified in tender documentation and associated criteria for selection of successful tenders.

As above.

Actions necessary

Applicable?

Yes No

If yes, brief description

Review arrangements for providing information to the public;

yes

RTÉ publishes on its website extensive information about all its functions. This information is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it is accurate. RTÉ’s Information Office responded to 37,575 phone calls and 8,969 emails in 2005.

Establish procedures and identify sources for securing accessible formats for information provided by the Department or body;

Establish timescales for processing requests from the public for accessible information;

yes

There is a commitment on RTÉ’s website that all calls, letters and emails will receive a substantive response within 4 weeks.

Promote the availability of accessible formats to the customers;

yes

RTÉ cross promotes its services on all its media.

Review accessibility of public websites for which you are responsible

yes

RTÉ carries out regular reviews of public usage of all its services to ensure that the highest possible standard is maintained.