Forum Brief: Single equality watchdog

The Disability Rights Commission has published its response to the government's consultation on a single equality watchdog.

It calls for a federal arrangement consisting of an umbrella body focusing on cross-cutting issues of shared concern, and specialist units linked to appointed committees that would have responsibility for individual strands.

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman for the DRC, said, "The single equality body could signal a quantum leap in enforcement and protection against discrimination in Britain. But we need to guarantee that disability discrimination continues to be combated and the expertise built up in the first few years of the DRC is maintained.

"For existing and new strands the new structures must provide a base for nurturing and development as well as extending and enforcing their rights. The arguments for a federal structure seem compelling.

"The model we argue for is akin to the department store - customers use the same front door whether they're shopping for hosiery or electrical goods but this doesn't stop them from seeking out the expertise they need at any given visit. All strands will be served what they want and when they want it. And nobody will be knowingly undersold."

Forum Response: Disabilities Trust

A spokesman for the Disabilities Trust told ePolitix.com: "The Disabilities Trust warmly welcomes the Disability Rights Commission's innovative ideas for the government's proposed single equality body.

"A federal structure would give the body the opportunity to present a single voice on a wide range of commons themes that affect all marginalised groups in society and at the same time reassure the disability sector, which would retain its own strand, that its voice would not be completely lost in the reorganisation of equal opportunities structures."

Forum Response: Barnardo's

Jan Morrisson, policy officer for Barnardo's, told ePolitix.com: "We whole heartedly endorse the DRC's recommendation. There is still a long way to go in achieving disability equality and are concerned that under a single equality watchdog, the needs and rights of disabled children and young people would become marginalised.

"It makes a lot of sense to have an umbrella body focusing on cross-cutting issues of shared concern but would strongly argue for a specialist unit to forward and promote the rights of disabled children and adults."

Forum Response: RNIB

Joe Korner, communications manager at the RNIB, told ePolitix.com: "RNIB supports the DRC's views on the proposed single equalities body. We believe a federal structure will allow for the continued push for full civil rights for disabled people whilst also enabling challenges across the range."