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Education Authority appoints Oliver McMullan as disability champion

Oliver McMullan has met organisations including Mencap
Oliver McMullan has met organisations including Mencap Oliver McMullan has met organisations including Mencap

THE largest employer in the north has appointed former Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan as its new disability champion.

Mr McMullan, a board member of the Education Authority (EA), will work to promote good practice across the areas of special educational needs and disability.

The appointment reflects a key commitment from the EA's Disability Action Plan. It aims to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and encourage the participation of disabled people in public life.

Mr McMullan, a former assembly member for East Antrim, has so far met several relevant organisations, including the Equality Commission, Mencap, Autism NI, Disability Sport NI and the Children’s Law Centre, to get a firm understanding of the issues facing children with disabilities accessing EA services.

The EA said Mr McMullan was interested and passionate about disability and disability rights. As the father of a daughter with disabilities he has personal experience and understanding of the relationship between education, disability and special educational needs, the authority added.

"I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the first EA disability champion. I aim to use this platform and role to promote the good work going on across many of EA's services as well as highlighting the key challenges to board colleagues that we can effectively tackle together," Mr McMullan said.