Forum Brief: Disability discrimination

Publishing its annual review, the Disability Rights Commission has warned that gaps in anti-discrimination law are providing a "license to discriminate" against disabled people.

A spokesman for DWP told ePolitix.com: "The DRC's annual review is to be welcomed, as is the recognition it gives to the progress made so far by the government in respect of rights for disabled people. One such achievement was, of course, the establishment of the DRC itself which plays a vital role in championing the rights agenda.

"In little more than a year from now, disabled employees of small organisations will for the first time be able to look to the law if they are discriminated against at work. Duties that require service providers to make reasonable adjustments to physical features of their premises will also help disabled people access more areas of everyday life.

"This is significant progress, but there are still gaps in the existing law that require primary legislation. The areas raised by the DRC are being considered for inclusion in our draft disability bill later this year."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability Rights Commission said: "The government has delivered much needed reform for Britain's 8.6 million disabled people. But it is critical that the pace is maintained.

"I don't question the government's commitment in this area, but there are further important reforms that are still in the pending tray, and we need to pick up the pace and get them done."

Forum Response: British Council of Disabled People

Andy Rickell, director of the British Council of Disabled People, said: "We support the DRC in raising the issue that the existing anti-discrimination legislation is so poor that many disabled people are not covered by it at all.

"The government needs to understand that there is some way to go before it will achieve its manifesto pledge of comprehensive rights for disabled people.

"The first meeting of the UK Disabled People's Parliament, on October 4 and 5, will be putting together a new proposal for better laws that would cover the rights of all disabled people. We will then be lobbying parliament on October 29 to raise this issue."

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 DRC's work is vital if disabled people are to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled and we are pleased that its annual review continues to push for both greater awareness of those rights and their extension to include services such as public transport."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, spokesman for The Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "'The Disabilities Trust like the DRC and other service providers, is concerned that gaps still exist in the DDA's provisions particularly concerning access to public transport.

"While much progress has been made in recent years extending disability rights, it is of course critical that all public services are equally accessible to every section of our society.

"We would hope that the Government's much anticipated Disability Bill (promised by the end of the year) will close any remaining legal loopholes."