The National Treatment Purchase Fund's Access Officer
In accordance with section 26(2) of the Act, the organisation has appointed Karen Russell as its "Access Officer". The Access Officer is responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by the National Treatment Purchase Fund and generally to act as a point of contact for people with disabilities wishing to access such services.
The contact details for Karen Russell are as follows:
National Treatment Purchase Fund, Ashford House, Tara Street, Dublin 2, D02 VX67.
Email: ask@ntpf.ie Phone (01) 642 7101
Requirements of the organisation as a public body under the Disability Act 2005
As a public body the organisation is required to ensure that it complies with sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Disability Act 2005 ("the Act"). Section 25 requires the organisation to ensure that areas of its building(s) to which the general public has access are accessible to people with disabilities. Section 26 requires the organisation to ensure that its mainstream public services are accessible to people with disabilities insofar as this is practical and appropriate. If it considers it necessary, the organisation must provide assistance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services. Where it is appropriate the organisation must have available to it, appropriate expertise and skills to advise the public body in ensuring that its services are accessible. Section 26(2) requires the organisation to appoint an "access officer" to provide or arrange for and co-ordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services. Section 27 requires the organisation to ensure that goods or services purchased by it are accessible to persons with disabilities. Section 28 requires the organisation to ensure that information imparted by it, is provided in an accessible format to persons with disabilities.