26 May 2005 - Put disabled people at the heart of policies and no one
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire today insisted disabled people must be involved in helping to formulate policies that affect their lives.
Speaking at the first anniversary of Scope’s ‘Time To Get Equal’ campaign, the Minister noted there had been great achievements in improving rights for disabled people, but that the needs of disabled people must be considered at the heart of policy making.
Anne McGuire said:
‘It is simply not acceptable that 10 million disabled people have to put up with discrimination and poor life chances. The statistics speak for themselves. Disabled people are more than twice as likely to have no educational qualifications; they are less likely to be in work – when they do work, they earn less than others; and one in four people have experienced harassment.
‘’No-one should be left behind in life. And it’s vital disabled people have a say in how we can end this. The Government is committed to ensuring that disabled people are involved – and will lead by example.
‘’That’s why under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 we’ve brought in new responsibilities for public bodies to consult disabled people on their policies. And it’s also why we will press on with our ambitious twenty-year strategy for person-centred and coordinated public services, for independent living and individualised budgets. This will help empower disabled people to make their own choices and to fulfil their potential.''
Notes for editors
- Work and Pensions Minister Anne McGuire today delivered a speech at
the first anniversary of Scope’s ‘Time to Get Equal’
campaign in the QEII Centre, London
- The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit Improving the Life Chances
of Disabled People sets out a twenty year vision with recommendations
on four key aspects of disabled people’s life chances: independent
living, early years and family support, transition to adulthood and
employment.
A copy is available from www.strategy.gov.uk/output/Page5046.asp
- A recent press notice on the DDA 2005 can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2005/apr/dda_royal_assent.asp The Disability Discrimination Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The estimated number of adults in Britain covered by this definition is 9.8 million.
- There are 6.9 million disabled people of working age (16-59/64) in Great Britain accounting for nearly a fifth of the working age population; 50% of disabled people of working age are in work, compared to 81% of non-disabled people (the employment rate of all employees is 75%); The income of disabled people is, on average, less than half that of non-disabled people.
- A photo of Anne McGuire is available on request.
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