The year, which officially came to an end last March, was said to have raised the profile of disability issues in Ireland, producing various spin-off projects, writes Joe Humphreys.
However, a report by independent consultants on the initiative, said: "There is a clear need and demand for leadership and co-ordination in taking the issues forward.
"It is not clear, as of yet, who will step up to this challenge on behalf of the sector."
The report comes ahead of the expected publication tomorrow of the long-awaited Disability Bill, which is due to be backed by a ringfenced multiannual funding plan.
The report, compiled by Genesis Strategic Management Consultants, said that "intense frustration" had been expressed within the disability sector at the delay in publishing the legislation. The delay "may point to the fact that the Bill is not an issue with the electorate in general", the report said. There could also be a perception that disability slipped from the agenda as Ireland took over the EU presidency, it added.
Notwithstanding such disappointment, the report said there had been a "significant shift in attitudes towards disability in Ireland" thanks to the "multiplier effect" of the Year of People with Disabilities and the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which were held in Ireland last year.
Some 73 per cent of people surveyed here were aware that 2003 was the year for people with disabilities, the highest recognition rate in the EU. The UK had the lowest rate of recognition at just 21 per cent.
An overwhelming number of respondents in Ireland (81 per cent) also felt that the year had contributed to informing people about the problems faced by people with disabilities in their daily lives.
Welcoming the findings Ms Angela Kerins, chairwoman of the year's co-ordinating committee, said: "The success of the year is evident in the increased awareness levels and these must be viewed as an extremely positive outcome. However, these awareness levels bring with them increased expectations, and demands for fairness, for respect, for equality of opportunity."
Speaking about the imminent publication of the Disability Bill, Ms Kerins, who is also chairwoman of the National Disability Authority, said she hoped the legislation would form part of an adequately funded national disability strategy.
"The multiannual funding must be able to meet people's needs in accordance with the independent assessment. I hope that pot of money will be there," she said.
The disability year funded 51 projects, including training, awareness-raising and physical activity schemes. The organisers received €1.3 million in grant aid from the Government and €200,000 from the EU.
Genesis Report: Main Findings