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Disability

The Disability Discrimination Act places duties on public authorities, when carrying out their functions, to have due regard to:

  • promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
  • encourage participation by disabled people in public life.

These are collectively referred to as 'the disability duties'.

Disability Action Plan

The Council's Disability Action Plan explains how we can fulfil the disability duties.  Download the plan below.  You can request an alternative format, including braille and minority languages, by contacting us on 0300 013 3333.

Disability Action Plan 2020-25 (PDF, 411 KB) (opens new window)

Our Disability Action Plan ensures that we fulfil our statutory obligations in compliance with Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) (as amended by Article 5 of the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006).

It outlines the actions and processes the council will undertake to ensure that issues facing people with disabilities or their carers, are effectively mainstreamed within Council decision making processes and service delivery.

The Disability Action Plan is monitored annually and a report submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland each August.

Shape an Accessible Future: Have you say on the Draft Disability Action Plan 2025-2029

Your voice is crucial! We're inviting you to participate in a vital 12-week consultation on our proposed Disability Action Plan for Ards and North Down Borough Council. This is your opportunity to help us build a truly accessible and inclusive environment for everyone, in line with our responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

At Ards and North Down Borough Council, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where disabled people feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to participate fully in all aspects of our work and services.

Our new Disability Action Plan outlines key objectives and actions designed to identify and address barriers, promote positive attitudes, and ensure fairness and accessibility across everything we do.

Why is this consultation so important?

This isn't just a plan for disabled people; it's a plan we want to build with disabled people and their advocates.

We believe that real, meaningful change happens when we listen to the lived experiences and diverse perspectives of those directly impacted. Your insights are invaluable in ensuring our plan is robust, effective, and truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of disabled people within our community and those who interact with our services.

Over the next 12 weeks, we want to hear from you on:

  • What are the key accessibility and inclusion issues you believe we should prioritise?
  • Do our proposed actions go far enough? Are there other initiatives we should consider to remove barriers?
  • How can we ensure our plan is effectively implemented, and its impact on disabled people is tangible and measurable?
  • What are your experiences and perspectives on accessibility and inclusion within Ards and North Down Borough Council?

How to get involved:

We've made it as easy as possible for you to contribute. During this 12-week consultation period, which runs from Thursday 5th June 2025 to 28th August 2025, you can:

Your contributions will directly inform the final version of our Disability Action Plan, which will guide our efforts to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

It is anticipated that the final version of the plan will be available here, in September, following Council approval.

Our Services

SignVideo for customers who use BSL

SignVideo provides our Deaf or Hard of Hearing customers who use British Sign Language (BSL) instant access to a SignVideo online BSL interpreter. 

In the following four Council venues we connect you to a fully qualified SignVideo interpreter using an iPad, so you can see them on the screen. They will assist you to communicate with our staff. If you need any help, a member of our reception team will be on hand.  Please note this service is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm:

  • Ards and North Down Borough Council, City Hall, The Castle, Bangor BT20 4BT
  • Ards and North Down Borough Council, 2 Church Street, Newtownards BT23 4AP
  • Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex, 1 Dairy Hall Lane, Newtownards BT23 4DB
  • Ards Visitor Information Centre, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD

SignVideo from your own device

This service is free, can be used from your own home and a log in is not required. It's simple, fast and secure.  Council officers can be contacted between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.  When you click on the link below, you will connect to a SignVideo interpreter who will relay the call to Ards & North Down Borough Council.   

 How does it work?

To contact the SignVideo Interpretation Service via a computer, you'll need video capability and broadband access. Then follow these steps:

  1. Click on SignVideo logo to make a call from the browser. 
  2. Connect to a SignVideo interpreter and they will confirm you are contacting Ards & North Down Borough Council.
  3. You will then be connected to a registered BSL interpreter, who will start the conversation with you in BSL (British Sign Language). 

Please note that SignVideo offer this service to MacBooks and PCs running Windows.

Check your operating system requirements

Before using SignVideo BSL Live, please check you meet these basic requirements as a minimum. You'll need to have a computer or device with one of the following operating systems:

  • iOS devices: 11 or above
  • Android devices: 4.4 or above
  • PC devices

Your computer or device will need to have one of the following browsers:

  • PC: Chrome and Firefox
  • macOS: Chrome (Safari 11 supported)
  • a webcam
  • bandwidth of at least 512kbps upload and download.

For SignVideo troubleshooting and technical help, please contact help@signvideo.co.uk or call 020 3388 0771.

Connect to a SignVideo interpreter here:

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AccessAble - the new name for Disabled Go

We work with AccessAble to provide information on access to buildings/ venues in our area.  Visit the website for more information.

For more information please visit: Ards and North Down | AccessAble

Changing Places

There are currently Changing Places in the following Council facilities: 

  • Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex
  • Bangor Aurora Aquatics and Leisure Complex (two facilities available)
  • Comber Leisure Centre
  • Groomsport Harbour Public Toilets

For more information about Changing Places please visit: Changing Places website

 

Stoma Friendly

In 2024, Council upgraded 40+ accessible public toilets across the Borough to become Stoma Friendly in line with Colostomy Uks campaign

The upgrade was funded by the Council and the Department for Communities' Access and Inclusion Programme, which aims to promote a more inclusive society by enabling disabled people to participate more fully in arts, cultural and active recreation activities.

The upgraded toilets feature an additional shelf, hook, mirror and bin. Shelves provide a sanitary surface to lay out medical supplies, while a hook allows people living with a stoma to hang their personal belongings, and a mirror assists them when changing their bag.

To find out locations of toilets in Ards and North Down please visit Public Toilets - Ards and North Down Borough Council

To find out more about the Stoma Friendly campaign visit Colostomy UK website - Stoma friendly accessible toilets

 

Groomsport Inclusive Beach

As part of Council's Disability Action Plan, we are working with The Mae Murray Foundation to make Groomsport an Inclusive Beach. 

This means there will be all-terrain wheelchairs, walkers and matting available to members to access the beach every weekend over the summer, encouraging and enabling families to experience beach facilities together.

Groomsport Inclusive Beach will celebrate the beginning of its new season with an Opening Event on Friday 30 May 2025 | 11.30am - 1.00pm

Enjoy fun inclusive beach activities:

  • African Drumming
  • A seaside scavenger hunt
  • Try out all-terrain beach equipment
  • Learn more about how inclusive beaches are making a difference! 

All welcome!

For the 2025 summer season, the beach equipment is available for booking on Friday and Sundays, 11.30am to 4.30pm,  and must be booked 3 days in advance. Beach equipment can be borrowed by anyone - with a mobility, sensory or other need - who will benefit from using it. It is essential to register as a member of Mae Murray Foundation (free of charge), Community Groups can also become an Affiliate Member of the Mae Murray Foundation.

To become a member visit: Become a Member : Mae Murray Foundation

To find out more about inclusive beaches and to book visit: Iinclusive Beaches : Mae Murray Foundation

 

Buddycard Scheme

The Council wants to help people with a disability to attend events and use Council sport and leisure facilities. The Buddycard allows an accompanying helper to get in free. Any child or adult with a disability who requires assistance can apply for a Buddycard.

Application forms can be downloaded below or picked up from the following places:

  • North Down Museum, Ards Arts Centre or the Visitor Information Centres in Bangor or Newtownards
  • Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex, Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex, Bangor Sportsplex, Comber Leisure Centre, Londonderry Park Pavilion, Portaferry Sports Centre and Queens Leisure Complex, Holywood 
  • Reception at the City Hall, Bangor or Church Street, Newtownards
  • By phoning the Council and requesting for a form to be posted out: please telephone 0300 013 3333

Please complete and return the application form: ANDBC Buddycard application (PDF, 1 MB) (opens new window)

 

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