14 February 2007 - Government announces public consultation on measuring progress towards equality for disabled people
Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire, today announced the launch of a public consultation to ask disabled people what equality means to them, and to gain their views on how Government can best monitor progress towards equality for disabled people.
The consultation is being led by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), which was set up to help Government departments work together to deliver equality for disabled people by 2025.
The consultation launch coincides with the publication by the Disability Rights Commission of their “Disability Agenda”, which sets out the core themes on which the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights should focus.
Speaking today at an event organised by the Disability Rights Commission, Ms McGuire said:
“Disabled people are the experts about their priorities. That's why I'm launching a consultation today, which will help to find out what disabled people and those whose lives are affected by disability think. We also want to know how we should measure progress in achieving equality for disabled people by 2025. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the consultation over the next few months, and the continuing involvement of disabled people in this work.”
The ODI will hold consultation events and work with groups of disabled people and their representative organisations so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to respond to the consultation.
Notes to editors
- The consultation document is available electronically in English in PDF, Word, Easy Read, and in Welsh in PDF, Word and Easy Read formats via www.officefordisability.gov.uk.
- Hard copies of the report have been produced in English in 14 point text, Easy Read, Braille and Audio CD formats, and in Welsh in 14 point text and Easy Read formats These are available on request from Michael.Cooke@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
- The consultation period begins on 14 February 2007 and runs until 9 May 2007. The ODI will be holding consultation events in Cardiff on 19 March, Edinburgh on 27 March, London on 30 March and Manchester on 4 April. If you would like to attend, email Michael.Cooke@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
- Feedback on the consultation document is welcomed. For enquiries about the consultation, please email Michael.Cooke@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or write to Office for Disability Issues, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT.
- The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, published in January 2005, set out the Government’s strategy for disabled people. It included some sixty recommendations for improving disabled people’s lives, focusing on four key themes: early years, the transition from childhood into adulthood, employment and independent living. The Office for Disability Issues was launched in December 2005 to drive this strategy forward and report publicly on the progress being made.
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Prepared by: Office for Disability Issues HM Government