Forum Brief: Draft disability bill

Andrew Smith, the work and pensions secretary, has announced that the government intends to publish a draft disability bill later this year.

He said: "Building on the real progress we have already made, and in line with our manifesto commitment, this draft bill will significantly advance the rights and opportunities of disabled people up and down the country."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, said: "This is wonderful news. The proposed new legislation will greatly improve the rights and lives of disabled people.

"The bill will contain several measures which the Disability Rights Commission has been calling for.

"For example, welcome new rights for disabled people in transport and greater protection against discrimination for those diagnosed with cancer.

"The government's commitment to consult disabled people and their organisations on the content of the Bill is also very helpful.

"This open and co-operative approach should ensure the disability rights agenda moves forward in a positive way."

"This is an encouraging start to European Year of Disabled People and is proof of the government's commitment to take forward it manifesto commitments for disabled people."

Forum Response: RNIB

A spokesman for the RNIB said: "RNIB strongly welcomes the announcement that the government will publish and consult on a draft disability bill with a view to legislation later this Parliament.

"Full civil rights for blind, partially sighted and other disabled people is indeed achievable within the lifetime of this parliament.

"But much depends on the effectiveness of the pre-legislative scrutiny process, what the final bill includes or excludes and indeed on the government's willingness to mainstream and take action on disability rights across all policy areas.

"The announcement promises enhanced transport rights, strengthened duties on the public sector and changes to the definition of disability.

"RNIB believes the bill must ensure all public functions are covered by the DDA - essential if blind and partially sighted people are to see progress in access to the built and street environment.

"We also want all discrimination cases to be heard in tribunal in the first instance - since the cost and complexity of the court system is a major deterrent to disabled people seeking redress for discrimination in access to goods and services.

"The bill team should draw heavily too on other proposals in the Disability Rights Commission's recent legislative review which pointed the way to more effective and far-reaching civil rights provisions.

"Finally, the government must seize opportunities in other areas to further civil rights for disabled people and deliver real change in the European Year of Disabled People.

"The European parliament is strongly supporting the inclusion of social clauses in the award criteria for public contracts and recent European Court of Justice rulings confirm this position.

"This could have a significant impact on the employment of disabled people, but the government is so far opposing this measure.

"The Communications Bill, currently before parliament, dismally fails to address the rights and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people for equal access to digital TV and radio.

The bill currently has nothing to say about inclusive design or access to programme information and woefully inadequate provision for audio-description with TV programmes.

"Even a greatly strengthened DDA would not make good these omissions. If we are serious about full civil rights we need them written in to crucial legislation of this kind."

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Robin Hutchinson, head of communications at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "The expansion of civil rights for disabled people has been long awaited and will be very welcome when it comes into effect. Particularly welcomed by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is the inclusion of transport within the proposals.

"As an organisation concerned largely with the mobility needs of blind and partially sighted people, Guide Dogs has campaigned to encourage all operators to offer accessible services. The recent success of Neil Gerrard MP's Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) Bill was a significant step in the right direction, but introducing accessibility requirements to the train, bus, airline and ferry industries holds out the prospect of real mobility and freedom for the nearly-two million blind and partially sighted people in the UK."

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust

A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "The Disabilites Trust welcome the publication of the government's draft disability bill. It is important that the government indicates it understands the needs and interests of the disabled community in the UK and this bill although presently only a draft does send a positive signal to the disabled community.

"We intend to make representations to the government and hope that it will move foward to a firm commitment in the next legislative session."