Anniversary of landmark disability act: Government calls into question legal protection for disabled people

30 March 2011

Richard Hawkes said: “The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act changed the lives of disabled people. But 40 years on, the Government appears to be undermining the very principles it established. Disabled people are already being hit on all sides by public spending cuts. Now we have the news that the government is also rowing back on the Equality Act.

“Equality legislation and duties on public sector bodies have been described by the Government as 'burdens', but in reality they are the only things that guarantee disabled people access to crucial services and protection from discrimination.

“Hard won rights to care services, accessible buildings, employment, education and health care are all at risk as the Government wages war on red tape.

“The Government has said it is committed to supporting disabled people but these proposals risk turning back the clock. After 40 years of steady progress on civil rights for disabled people, it appears the tide has turned.”

---

Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to ePolitix.com. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the ePolitix.com service.

As such, ePolitix.com does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.