12 November 2007 – Disabled people given unique opportunity to influence Government
Disabled people from across the UK will be in Birmingham today at their first meeting with a new equality body to help bring about the changes they want to see in their lives.
The independent body, Equality 2025, was set up by the Office for Disability Issues to ensure that the views of disabled people inform Government policy. Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, appointed the 23 members, all of whom are disabled people, from across the country. They share a common goal; to help disabled people achieve real equality in their lives.
“Tell Us” is the first of a series of two way meetings - where disabled people will have the opportunity to tell Equality 2025 directly what change they want to see and give Equality 2025 the opportunity to consult disabled people on issues which Government has brought to them. Topics for discussion today include the bullying and harassment faced by many disabled people and perceived gaps in service provision. Views expressed will be fed directly to government through the Office for Disability Issues to inform the Government’s overall strategy on disability.
Equality 2025 member Andy Rickell said: “This event is just the beginning. It will enable us to start our dialogue with disabled people, bypassing the usual channels, to ensure we get honest views of what life is really like at a local level and feed those back. In the past disabled people have rarely had the opportunity to influence in this way. Equality 2025 is unique and a real voice for disabled people in Government – where it really matters.”
Notes to Editors:
- Members of Equality 2025 are available for interview. We are able to provide spokespeople from particular areas of the country.
- Equality 2025 is the United Kingdom Advisory Network on Disability Equality. It was set up in December 2006. Further details on terms of reference and membership can be found at www.officefordisability.gov.uk/equality2025
- The Office for Disability Issues was launched in December 2005 to drive forward he Government’s strategy for disabled people and report publicly on the progress being made. Further details at www.officefordisability.gov.uk
DWP press office: 020 3267 5120
Out of hours: 079659 108 883
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
www.officefordisability.gov.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/disability