Forum Brief: Queen's Speech - Draft Disability Bill

A draft bill will also be published responding to a review of the law relating to disabilities.

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said: "The government began the European Year for Disabled People with the news that they would publish a draft disability bill, and I look forward to its imminent publication.

"At present, hundreds of disabled people are being turned away from the DRC's helpline because the law does not protect them from discrimination.

"A new Bill should offer a long awaited right for disabled people to use public transport. And it should deal with injustices caused to people with cancer, HIV by providing protection from discrimination."

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Matt Grainger, spokesman for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, told ePolitix.com: "The urgency of closing current loopholes which allow discrimination against disabled people cannot be overstated.

"A Disability Bill which complements and strengthens the Disability Discrimination Act, and truly empowers disabled people by removing barriers in key areas such as employment and transport, has been long-awaited.

"Now that it has been announced, we look forward to seeing its details and the protection it promises being introduced at the earliest opportunity."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, spokesman for the Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "The Disabilities Trust is pleased to see the government has included the much heralded Disability Bill in this year's Queens Speech.

"It is vital that people with disabilities in this country finally feel fully integrated into our society and that all the opportunities and rights the rest of us take for granted, are available to them."

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

Dr Beverley Malone, general secretary of the RCN, said: "The RCN is pleased to see that disability discrimination is high on the political agenda, with a draft Bill which we hope will extend rights, employment opportunities and offer greater protection for disabled people."

Forum Response: Epilepsy Action

Philip Lee, chief executive of Epilepsy Action, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the bill as an opportunity to remedy gaps in existing legislation.

"We look forward to having an opportunity to assess the bill's provisions for people with epilepsy, particularly with regard to public transport where action is long overdue."

Forum Response: Depression Alliance

Jim Thomson, chief executive of Depression Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Increasing the rights and opportunities of disabled people in Britain is a move which must be welcomed, especially where depression and other mental illness is concerned.

"The gaps in disability right's law, especially for mental health, have become increasingly apparent and need now to be addressed."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute of the Blind

Steve Winyard, head of policy at the RNIB, said: "This represents an opportunity to ensure that the UK has some of the best disability legislation in the world - an opportunity not to be missed."

Forum Response: The Stroke Association

Margaret Goose, chief executive of The Stroke Association, told ePolitix.com: "Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition; a quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

"The Stroke Association therefore supports legislation that enables disabled people to have a better quality of life."