Government departments and public bodies have 10 years to develop adequate disabled access to their buildings under new provisions set out in the Disability Act 2005.
Government departments and public bodies will be required to make mainstream public services accessible to people with disabilities by the end of the year.
The rules which come into force at the end of the year also require public bodies to take action to achieve a 3 per cent target for the employment of people with disabilities.
The National Disability Authority will have responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the Act.
Announcing the provisions, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Frank Fahey said: "The Disability Act is evidence of this Government's commitment to a more inclusive society for people with disabilities."
Mr Fahey said: "Individuals will benefit as the provisions of the Act are implemented on the ground."
Mr Fahey signed an order paving the way for the introduction of the provisions on December 31st, but many of the acts new rules will not come into effect for some time.
Government departments and public bodies will be required to make mainstream public services accessible to people with disabilities by the end of the year.
The rules include making information available easily accessible and providing more supports to access services were it is practical.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Frank Fahey
The members of the board of the National Disability Authority set up under the Act and chaired by Angela Kerins, RehabCare chief executive, were also named. The members include Paula Carey, ICTU's social affairs policy officer, John Dolan, Disability Federation of Ireland, Noreen Gildea, parent of a person with a disability, Christy Lynch, KARE Central Services, Lottie McClure, People with Disabilities in Ireland, Betty O'Leary, barrister, Jimmy Martin, Dept of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Jack Callanan, Centre for Independent Living, Galway, Gene Lambert, MRHA, Aidan Browne, Health Service Executive, Maria Cronin, IBEC's social affairs director, Donie O'Shea, NDA staff member.
The chairperson of the National Disability Authority has welcomed the decision of Minister of State Frank Fahey to reappoint her.
Ms Kerins said: "We look forward to working together, with the disability sector, with service providers, the various agencies, Government Departments and individuals whose aim is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families in this country".
She said: "We enter a new era for the disability sector with the passing of the Disability Bill, a key component in the Government's Disability Strategy. It is now time for action, for us all to work together to implement the many provisions of the Bill even though there are some who would argue that the legislation isn't perfect. We must all work hard together to ensure that issues of concern to people with disability are resolved. "
"The provisions, when implemented, will improve greatly the quality of the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We will do everything we can to ensure the speedy and effective implementation of the provisions announced as our remit provides," she added.
The Disability Bill proved controversial amongst campaigners, with many saying it did not go far enough to provide a rights-based system of disability legislation here
.