The laws on disability discrimination are set for an overhaul under draft legislation revealed on Wednesday.

The Queen's Speech committed the government to widening rights and opportunities for Britain's 8.6 million disabled people.

It will build on proposals by the Disability Rights Taskforce including a widening of the definition of disability and tackling issues related to the membership of private clubs.

The Disability Rights Commission's chairman, Bert Massie, said a change in the law could not happen fast enough. "At present, hundreds of disabled people are being turned away from the DRC's helpline because the law does not protect them from discrimination," he said.

"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."