New U.K. Disability Bill & Response of Disability Rights Commission

The inclusion in a new disability bill of a legal duty to promote disability equality - similar to the duty to promote race equality - was welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission in December 2003.

The race duty was a key recommendation of the MacPherson inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and was introduced to tackle institutional bias that creates disadvantage.

The new disability duty will place a requirement on public bodies to produce clear policies and action plans aimed at proactively tackling discrimination.

The draft disability bill also contains measures to protect people with long term progressive conditions - such as cancer, HIV and Multiple Sclerosis - from discrimination. Transport services will also now be covered by the law.

Speaking after the publication of a draft disability bill Bert Massie, DRC chairman, said: "The Government began the European Year for Disabled People with the news that they would publish a draft disability bill and they have now delivered this."

Mr. Massie continued:

"At present, hundreds of disabled people are being turned away from the DRC's helpline because the law does not protect them from discrimination. This Bill offers the long awaited right for disabled people to use public transport. And it deals with injustices caused to people with cancer, HIV and Multiple Sclerosis by providing protection from discrimination.

"The provision for a public sector duty to promote disability equality similar to that on race, will have seismic implications in reforming practices and policies across a wide range of activities bringing about system-wide progress for all disabled people.

"The DRC will work with the Government on the Bill in the months ahead to secure a swift passage through parliament."

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