19 July 2006 - A year of achievement
The annual report and accounts of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) were published today.
Laying the Report before Parliament, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said:
“This Annual Report demonstrates the Commission’s many achievements during an important year for disabled people. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 significantly extended and strengthened disability rights and I look forward to working with the DRC in the year ahead as we continue to implement the Act’s provisions and deliver better outcomes for disabled people.”
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, said:
“The DRC is an important voice for disabled people and a major force in ensuring legislation delivers in reality. During the last year its wide-ranging activities have included initiating its Disability Debate about the future agenda; contributing to the development of proposals for a Commission for Equality and Human Rights; helping thousands of disabled people and those with duties under the DDA to recognise their rights and responsibilities; drafting codes of practice and supporting disabled people in enforcing their rights.”
Notes to Editors
- The Annual Report is presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to para.16(3) of Schedule 1, and the Accounts presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General, pursuant to para.15(2) of Schedule 1 to the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999.
- Copies of the report can be bought from the Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522 or online.
- The DRC was established by the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 to work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled people; promote equal opportunities; encourage good practice and keep the working of the Disability Discrimination Act and the DRC Act under review. The Commission opened for business in April 2000.
- The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005 which reached the statute
book in April 2005 extends the DDA 1995. Some duties came into force on 5 December
2005, which:
- Extend the DDA 1995 to protect, effectively from the point of diagnosis, people with HIV infection, cancer or multiple sclerosis.
- End the requirement that a mental illness must be "clinically well-recognised" before it can be regarded as an impairment under the DDA 1995.
- Make it unlawful for private clubs with 25 or more members, local authorities and the Greater London Authority to treat disabled members less favourably.
- The DDA 2005 also places a new duty on public bodies – from local authorities to healthcare to education providers – to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people, similar to the ‘duty to promote’ under the Race Relations Act. This duty, which comes into force in December 2006, means that public authorities will need to have ‘due regard’ to the need to eliminate discrimination against, and harassment of, disabled people; promote equality of opportunity for disabled people; promote positive attitudes to disabled people; and encourage disabled people to take part in public life.
- The Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), established by the Equality Act 2006, will be launched in October 2007. It will promote equality and tackle discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief and will take on the work of two commissions - the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission - from the start. Responsibility for race matters will be transferred on the Commission for Racial Equality’s dissolution in 2009. The CEHR’s remit will include promoting and protecting human rights.
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