News

Ashley private members bill completes Lords stages as Government research reveals evidence of cost benefits of independent living
A Private Members Bill aimed at tackling the growing social care gap and to ensure greater choice and support to disabled people and carers, completed its legislative passage through the House of Lords today.
24 April 2007

DRC calls for British pressure on EU after disability Convention adopted
The UK Government should use the occasion of ratifying a new UN Convention on disability rights as the staging post to bring pressure on the EU to end human rights abuses against disabled people in member states, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.
30th March 2007

Hard-hitting commercial highlighting abuse of disabled people comes to the big screen
A powerful, hard-hitting commercial which highlights the daily abuse and bullying endured by people with learning disabilities is being launched by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) in cinemas across the UK on Friday, 30th March.
28th March 2007

Child poverty targets need disability at their heart
With the Government's progress in meeting its target to halve child poverty by 2010 widely expected not to be met, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) says that the focus should shift to ensuring that the strategy on tackling child poverty - to be launched by the Government today - had disability at its heart.
27th March 2007

NHS reforms to tackle health inequalities and the call for an inquiry into deaths in hospital of people with learning disabilities
DRC to respond to NHS reforms for tackling health inequalities and the call for an inquiry into deaths in hospital of people with learning disabilities.
12th March 2007

Government welfare reform review risks excluding one quarter of lone parents with disabled children, says DRC.
Whilst welcoming the overall direction of David Freud?s report, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) warned that Government plans to increase the numbers of lone parents moving into paid employment still risked leaving out the quarter that have a disabled child.
5th March 2007

Disability is the real challenge in supporting lone parents back to work.
The department charged with meeting Government child poverty targets poses the biggest obstacle to achieving them, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.
30th January 2007

Confidence gap must close before transport investment can deliver
Major investment in making transport more user-friendly has not been accompanied by high levels of confidence among disabled users, a survey reveals today.
29 January 2007

Employers still discriminating against workers with cancer despite new legal protection
Despite changes in the law aimed at protecting workers with cancer from unfair treatment, a survey by the Disability Rights Commission has revealed that employers are still showing women with breast cancer the door rather than making adjustments that could keep them in work.
6 October 2006

New CEHR chair must make ?clear break from the past?, says Disability Rights Commission
Commenting on the announcement that Trevor Phillips is to be the first Chairman of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights, DRC Chairman Bert Massie said:
?I congratulate Trevor on his appointment. He must ensure that the new commission is as well-known as the BBC and as cherished as the NHS because it is for every Briton.
8 September 2006

Debenhams confirms commitment to making problem older stores accessible for disabled people
Debenhams, the retailer, has signed a formal agreement with the Disability Rights Commission (DRC)) to provide disabled access in all its retail stores in England.
22 August 2006

Welfare Reform Bill
This briefing covers the provisions in the Bill concerning the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and related policy.
24th July 2006

Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill
The Disability Rights Commission strongly supports the Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill. The Bill offers the opportunity to liberate millions of people, now and in the future (people with impairments and long-term health conditions and their families/carers) from the current, over-bureaucratised, ineffective system of social care, which limits their contribution to their families, the economy and society.
14 th July 2006

DRC considers support for human rights appeal
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is considering supporting an appeal by the residents of a care home to the Court of Appeal after they lost a key human rights case in the high court.
July 11th 2006

70 Per Cent Of Britons Don?t Know Their Human Rights
A new survey by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) reveals that 70 per cent of the British population cannot name any of their human rights.
7 July 2006

DRC response to welfare reform proposals
Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission said today:
"We support welfare reform if it genuinely gets more disabled people and those with long term health conditions into work. Only half of working age disabled people in Britain are employed.
4 July 2006

Disabled woman, sacked after stroke, wins £20,000 compensation
A 22-year old Blackpool woman has won substantial damages against a former employer who had sacked her after she had a stroke and became blind.
7 June 2006

Arcadia Group faces disability legal challenge
The Arcadia Group - one of the country's biggest clothing retailers - is facing court action for not making its Burton store in Stafford accessible to disabled customers, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) revealed today.
6 June 2006

DRC launches first formal investigation into public sector fitness standards
Regulations and procedures governing entry to, and work in, teaching, nursing and social work will be subjected to the first detailed legal review of their compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act, the Disability Rights Commission announced today (Monday 22 May 2006).

DRC calls for debate on NUT?s unwelcome proposals to turn the clock back on inclusion
Responding to the NUT report ?The Cost of Inclusion? that suggests that inclusion policy harms children, Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), said:
?The DRC agrees with the NUT that an education system which fails disadvantaged children is a failing education system."
17 May 2006

Cycle of failure forces parents with learning disabilities to have their children taken away
Commenting on research by the University of Bristol that shows that around half of all parents with learning disabilities are having their children taken away from them, Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), commented: ?Thousands of parents with learning disabilities have a complete lack of rights to challenge or prevent the most serious intervention by the State ? to break up their family. They have no right to the support in the home they need, when we know that this support would keep many of them together.
9 May 2006

Criticism of disability transport body misplaced
In response to the criticism of the withdrawal of the Juniper fleet on South West Trains announced today, Will Bee, Director of Transport Policy at the Disability Rights Commission said: ?There are real safety issues for commuters with a visual impairment if they don?t have access to essential information.
28th April 2006

Teacher with sight loss receives £196,000 damages
Gaynor Meikle, a secondary school teacher who faced discrimination at work from Nottinghamshire County Council because of her sight loss, has received £196,000 in compensation.
April 26th 2006

User-friendly websites for all
Key guidance on how to develop a website which is user-friendly for disabled people has been launched today.
8 March 2006

Chip and PIN cards
On Wednesday 15th February 2006, Chip and PIN cards are being introduced across the country. For some disabled people and those with long term health conditions, these cards may prove difficult or impossible to use.
15 February 2006

Excluded six year old with diabetes wins school apology
A school which excluded a six year old with diabetes because of his condition has been forced to apologise to the boy and reimburse his school fees.
2 February 2006

Welfare reform needs to be assessed against equality standards
24 January 2006

DRC warns of culture of complacency in public sector
20 December 2005
Ensuring ?buy in? from CEO?s and senior public sector managers to implement the Disability Equality Duty (DED) will be the aim of a campaign in the New Year, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) announced today.

Accessible buses transform the lives of millions of disabled Londoners
7 December 2005

DRC comment on the launch of the Office for Disability Issues
1 December 2005

DRC hails new legal protection for 250,000 people with serious health conditions
30 November 2005
At least a quarter of a million people with serious health conditions have new legal rights not to be treated unfairly from Monday 5 December.

New film brings disabled workers into the limelight
10 November 2005
A short film released today aims to encourage workers to ?come out? about their long term health condition so they can continue to work effectively.

People with autism have their say at the DRC
4 November 2005
People with autism and related conditions have a stronger voice at the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) this month with the introduction of a new advisory group.

Our response to John Hutton's appointment
3 November 2005

Our response to David Blunkett's resignation
2 November 2005

No lift up for disabled applicant at Churchill?s Stairlifts
1 November 2005
A man who was rejected for a sales job at Churchill?s Stairlifts has won a claim of disability discrimination in the Court of Appeal.

DRC agreed quotas on Ryanair flights not true
14 October 2005

DRC pledges to get tough on access offenders on the high street
30 September 2005
On the eve of the first anniversary of new laws to make buildings more user-friendly to Britain?s disabled people, the Disability Rights Commission has revealed that one in two complaints about the legislation concern leisure and retail high street businesses.

New term brings better access for disabled students
25 August 2005
Thousands of disabled students will have new rights to better access on university and further education campuses under new laws in force from Thursday 1st September.

DRC launches consultation on revised DDA code
August 18th 2005
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched a consultation on its revised draft Code of Practice for the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 in light of recent amendments to the Act which come into force in December 2006.

DRC receives more than half a million enquiries in five years
August 15th 2005
More than half a million enquiries have been made to the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) Helpline since it was established in 2000 the Commission announced today.

Absolutely Furious - Fringe row over 'dwarf curling'
August 11th 2005

Culture of risk aversion ?reducing disabled people to second class citizens?, Massie
August 10th 2005
Misguided assessments of risk are reducing disabled people to second class citizens and limiting their choices to participate fully in society, the DRC Chairman Bert Massie said today.

Debenhams becomes first prosecution under disability access law
July 29th 2005
Debenhams will become the first retailer to be prosecuted under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) for failing to improve physical access to goods and services within its Derby store, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) revealed today.

Right to life-prolonging treatment upheld, but only if you can tell the doctor
28th July 2005
A High Court ruling has created a Catch-22 situation for a disabled patient after upholding his right to life-saving treatment if he requests it, but allowing doctors to make the decision to remove it once he looses the ability to express his wishes or lacks capacity, says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

DRC calls for specific measures to tackle disabled people's representation in judicial roles
13th July 2005
Government plans to widen the pool of applicants able to become judges were welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.

Live8 and disabled people: Shame they couldn't get in...
1st July 2005

DRC lawyers win top legal award
29th June 2005
Lawyers at the Disability Rights Commission were toasting success today after a "remarkable victory" in the House of Lords earned them a prestigious legal award.

Has anyone asked young disabled people what they want from education?
13th June 2005
The experiences of disabled children in the education system should figure more highly in debates on proposed reforms, Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

Call for views on new transport legislation
26th May 2005
A key change in the law next year will have a major impact on Britain's transport operators - who will need to ensure disabled people are treated fairly on the country's transport system.

Leslie Burke vs The General Medical Council in the Court of Appeal
16th May 2005
Mr Burke's case illustrates the position faced by many disabled people with serious long-term health problems and raises key questions about clinical decision making and the choices and rights available to an individual in respect of medical treatment.

DRC launches innovative web service for BSL users
16th May 2005
Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) have just been given access to a ground-breaking new service on the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC's) website.

Disabled boy gets on swimmingly
10th May 2005
Eight-year-old Samuel Doran is to get back in the swim after his local pool was forced to lift the ban that stopped him going to swimming lessons. He has also won £1,500 compensation.

DRC Breakfast briefings on retaining talent in the workplace
4th May 2005
Accounting, legal and banking professionals offering advice to small businesses are being urged by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to take full advantage of free breakfast briefing sessions in May and June on new employment laws.

Woman wins compensation for discrimination on disability awareness course
19th April 2005
A disabled woman who suffered discrimination on a disability awareness course run by Liverpool City Council has won £2,000 for injury to feelings on the day her case was due to go to court.

New Disability Act improves rights for disabled people in public sector
8th April 2005
In welcoming the new Disability Discrimination Act today, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is highlighting a major duty in the legislation to tackle institutional discrimination and ensure disabled people are treated fairly in the public sector.

New Disability Act hailed by DRC as major civil rights legislation
8th April 2005
The new Disability Discrimination Act, which has just received Royal Assent, has been welcomed as a major piece of civil rights legislation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

Mental Capacity Act | Easy Read Version
6th April 2005
The Mental Capacity Bill completed its parliamentary stages yesterday evening (Tuesday 5th April) and will soon be an Act.

Schools to be covered by new disability equality duty
23rd March 2005
In a move strongly welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alan Johnson MP, today ended speculation that schools in England and Wales might be exempted from key duties under disability rights legislation geared to closing the attainment gap for disabled children.

Government Green Paper on Adult Social Care - DRC Response
21st March 2005
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) responded positively to a Government green paper, Independence Well being and Choice, on adult social care published today.

British workers fear job loss with onset of disability
14th March 2005
More than a quarter of British workers believe their boss would be unlikely to help them keep their job if they become disabled, a report reveals today.

Disability Committee forms centrepiece of new equality commission bill
3rd March 2005
A top level disability committee formed the centrepiece of a Government bill to set up a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) published today.

Incapacity Benefit Reform - Disability Rights Commission response
2nd February 2005
Reforms to incapacity benefit announced today were welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission.

Call for response to consultation to help eradicate discrimination against disabled people
26th January 2005
Public body chiefs are being urged to respond to a consultation launched today on new legislation which is set to bring about a seismic shift in the way the public sector works.

Major Formal Investigation to test inequalities in health care for disabled people
10th December 2004
Disabled people's access to GPs, essential health screening services and healthier lifestyle initiatives is to come under the scrutiny of the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC's) powers of Formal Investigation, it was announced today.

DRC backs Chancellor's approach to incapacity benefit reform
2nd December 2004
Government plans to expand a pilot scheme to help people receiving incapacity benefit back into work announced in the Chancellor's Pre Budget Report received the support of the Disability Rights Commission today.

Disability Discrimination Bill welcomed but DRC urges action on housing shortage
26th November 2004
A Disability Bill, including much needed changes to the definition of disability and extending new rights to disabled people using transport, was warmly welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.

New Guidance Helps Events Organisers Open Up To Disabled People
Wednesday 10th November 2004
Event organisers are facing tough new laws designed to ensure that disabled people get equal access to their events.

Roads wins landmark case against trains
Friday 5th November
Train operating companies were today issued with a stark legal warning about making stations accessible to disabled people, following an appeal court judgement.

DRC uses the law to create change for disabled people
Monday 1st November
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) intends to put further focus on its legal powers in the coming year following 9 breaking court victories including two landmark cases in the House of Lords during 2003-2004.

Government needs major rethink on education policy on inclusion
Tuesday 12th October
Today's report from Ofsted shows a disturbing lack of progression in the delivery of an equal education for disabled children and children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

New disability discrimination laws to include over one million more employers
Friday 1st October 2004
Employment rights for disabled people will be dramatically improved from 1 October 2004 when the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is extended to cover all employers, except the armed forces. For the first time small employers* will be brought into the scope of the Act, accounting for an additional 1.1 million employers and seven million additional jobs.

Four out of five British high streets serve up second class service for disabled people
Tuesday 28th September 2004
On the eve of major new consumer laws requiring businesses to be more user-friendly for disabled people, a survey by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) shows that disabled people are getting a second class service and encountering major problems on four out of five of Britain's biggest high streets.

Government urged to end scandal of poor housing for disabled tenants
Monday 6th September 2004
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is calling for the Housing Bill currently going through Parliament to urgently address the scandal of disabled people being imprisoned in unsuitable accommodation.

Disability Discrimination Act part III: what shop owners need to know
Thursday 2nd September 2004
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) have today launched a joint practical guide designed to help retailers comply with part III of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), coming into force on 1 October 2004.

Single equality laws needed to avoid 'divisions' within new equalities commission
Thursday 5th August 2004
A failure to have harmonised equality laws in place prior to the creation of a new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (CEHR) would 'cause rancour and division' within the new body from its inception, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

Doctors must fulfil patient's 'dying wishes'
Friday 30th July 2004
Doctors must unequivocally fulfil a patient's wishes to life-prolonging treatment and, if no "living will" exists, they must presume that treatment should be given unless the patient would deem their life to be 'intolerable', the High Court has ruled today.

DRC welcomes Government Response to New Disability Bill
Thursday 15th July 2004
Government plans to remove a major barrier making it difficult for people with mental health impairments to take cases under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) were welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.

Teacher with sight loss wins landmark legal judgement
Thursday 1st July 2004
Employers refusing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees are risking thousands of claims for constructive dismissal, according to a landmark ruling today in the Court of Appeal.

SEE ALSO: GAYNOR MEIKLE BRIEFING NOTE ON COURT OF APPEAL JUDGMENT

Disabled woman wins House of Lords case
Thursday 1st July 2004
A landmark ruling by the House of Lords has strengthened the employment rights of disabled people.

DRC hails as 'great step forward' audio description on digital channels
Wednesday 23rd June 2004
News that the BBC, together with Channel 4 and ITV, will make Audio Description available via digital satellite was hailed as a 'great step forward' by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.

Councils burying their heads in the sand about disability says DRC
Tuesday 15th June 2004
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today claimed many local authorities are taking little notice of new disability duties and that thousands of disabled people will be unable to use key services from October this year.

Joint Action for Disabled People
Wednesday 9th June 2004
Health Secretary John Reid and Chair of the Disability Rights Commission, Bert Massie today announced a joint Framework for Partnership Action on disability to help deliver improvements for disabled people in health and social care settings.

New Disability Bill must go full steam ahead on transport rights says DRC
Thursday, May 27, 2004
A proposed Disability Discrimination Bill (DDB) should pave the way for substantial civil rights in transport for Britain's 9.8 million disabled people by 2006 according to the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

Disability focus of white paper welcomed by DRC but success of CEHR imperilled by absence of single equality law
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
A new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (CEHR) with both a disabled commissioner and a committee with key decision making powers on progressing the agenda for disability rights was welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

Poor service to disabled rail users continues after key legal decision
Thursday, May 06, 2004
In a judgement delivered at Norwich County Court the judge - His Honour Judge O'Brien - agreed with train operators Central Trains that it was unreasonable to expect them to pay the cost of an accessible taxi to enable Keith Roads to travel to Norwich. The Disability Rights Commission who supported Mr Roads voiced it's 'disappointment' at the decision.

Museums and Galleries month should put readiness for disabled access laws to the front
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Curators and trustees should use Museums and Galleries month to finalise plans to ensure disabled access to the nation's heritage, the Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, Bert Massie, said today.

Threat to Local Heritage is Number One Access Myth says DRC
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today hit back at reports that local cultural heritage sites are threatened by new equal access laws in a new report highlighting five common access myths.

Letter to The Times from Bert Massie, Chairman, Disability Rights Commission
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
New disability access laws pose no threat to our cultural heritage (Laws to help disabled may shut heritage sites April 19th) as York Minster, The Royal Opera House and Hampton Court Palace all prove.

DRC web investigation finds many public websites ?impossible? for disabled people to use
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Many disabled people find it impossible to book a holiday, open a bank account or buy theatre tickets online, an investigation by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) into web access will reveal today.

Pubs and Bars need to get in on the Act
22nd March 2004
Leisure services will need to do a lot more to convince disabled people that they will be ready for the 1st October deadline, warned the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) on the first day of the annual Pub and Bar convention at Olympia.

Business Risks Losing Out on Access Cash Bonanza
February 18, 2004
Business could be missing out on an access cash bonanza worth £50 billion the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) warned today

Corrie Star joins DRC to promote Open 4 All campaign
February 17th 2004
Sue Nichols (Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street) has joined the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) in a special photo-call to promote new disabled access duties designed to kick-start slow-moving businesses next year. (Photo attached)

Coronation Street star joins DRC to promote disability campaign
February 17th 2004
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street) joined the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today in a hard-hitting photo-call to promote new disabled access duties. (Photo attached)

Ryanair wheelchair fee ruled unlawful in landmark case
30th January 2004
An £18 wheelchair charge levied on Ryanair's disabled passengers is unlawful, a court has ruled today.

Councils warned not to blame disabled people for public toilet closures
2nd January 2004
Local councils are using the introduction of new disability access laws as an excuse to close public toilets, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

Ex-Boxer and Minister Fight Access Restrictions for Disabled People
1st January 2004
Ex-boxer and disability rights campaigner Michael Watson has teamed up with Sports Minister Richard Caborn in a New Year's initiative to improve disabled access to gyms and fitness centres.. ..

The DRC's response to the Disability Bill
3rd December 2003
Lawrence inquiry recommendation key feature of disability bill.
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 today. ..

Loyd Grossman spices up the DRC debate on access to historic buildings
1st December 2003
Loyd Grossman, broadcaster and cultural advocate, today claimed disabled people are only able to see through the keyhole at best in most of England's cultural landmarks due to problems of inaccessibility...

Queen's Speech - Draft disability bill announcement
26th November 2003
In response to the announcement in the Queen's Speech today of a draft disability bill, the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC's) Chairman Bert Massie said:....

In response to Channel Five's announcement to launch audiodescription on digital satellite
21th November 2003
A commitment by the Government that a new equalities commission would cater for the distinct needs of disabled people and that a programme of disability legislative reform would continue, was welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today...

Government commitments to disability in new equalities commission welcomed by DRC
30th October 2003
A commitment by the Government that a new equalities commission would cater for the distinct needs of disabled people and that a programme of disability legislative reform would continue, was welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today...

Government moves to outlaw disability hate crimes welcomed byDRC.
30th October 2003
Speaking today on the Government's plans to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to include provision for increasing sentences for crimes against disabled people that are aggravated by discrimination, the Disability Right Commission (DRC) said:...

Government new equality commission announcement: DRC response.
30th October 2003
A recognition of the unique nature of disability discrimination and a commitment to ensure the swift implementation of a programme of legislative reform to improve existing disability laws should be key features of the Government's announcement on the make up of a new equality commission, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

DRC AND LGA URGE LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ACT NOW
27th October 2003
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) joined forces with the Local Government Association (LGA) today to warn local authorities to start making preparations for the introduction of new access duties in 2004 or risk ending up in court.

BRITISH BUSINESS FIGHTS SHY OF BIGGEST CONSUMER LAW SHAKE-UP
3rd October 2003
The biggest shake-up of consumer legislation affecting every high street in Britain is being ignored by business, says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today.

OPEN 4 ALL CAMPAIGN TACKLES "INFAMOUS FIVE" ACCESS MYTHS
22nd September 2003
The business benefits of new equal access laws that come into force in 2004 could go unheard due to five common access myths, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

LOOPHOLE IN LAW PROVIDES "LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE"
22nd September 2003
Gaps in anti-discrimination law are providing a 'license to discriminate' against disabled people, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

"CLIMBING" WHEELCHAIR USER WINS LEGAL VICTORY TO STUDY A LEVELS
1st September 2003
Small employers, disabled people, qualifications bodies, lawyers and others are being urged to respond to guidance supporting major legal reforms to the employment of disabled people.

CALL FOR RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION ON MAJOR REFORMS TO EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PEOPLE
1st September 2003
Small employers, disabled people, qualifications bodies, lawyers and others are being urged to respond to guidance supporting major legal reforms to the employment of disabled people.

Diary date for court case against Ryanair and Stansted airport
4th August 2003
A disabled man who was charged for the use of a wheelchair when flying with Ryanair is taking the airline and Stansted Airport to court on 2nd December 2003.

"Disabled people's views 'crucial' to shaping DRC future role," said Massie
1st July 2003
The views of disabled people will play a crucial role in shaping the future priorities of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) its chairman Bert Massie said today.

Response to draft Mental Incapacity Bill
June 27th 2003
'No one must be written off in new legislation' says Disability Watchdog

DRC launch Tourism Guide for Growing B&B Market
June 26th 2003
With disabled people spending some £6 billion* a year on tourism in the UK, a new guide to access requirements for disabled tourists has been launched by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

Landmark judgement in House of Lords gives greater protection to ex-employees
Thursday, June 19, 2003
A disabled man has won a landmark Law Lords ruling today (Thursday 19th June), giving him the right to challenge a negative reference provided by his ex-employer. Mr Kirker has not been able to find work since 1997 when he successfully sued British Sugar for disability discrimination.

Joffe assisted suicide bill would place 'duty to die' on disabled people - DRC.
Friday, June 6, 2003
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) today underlined its concerns over proposals to change the law to make assisted suicide legal.

Niven boards EYDP disability bus with conditions
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
A Government commitment to publish and include a new Disability Bill in the next Queen's speech would be "a fitting conclusion to the European Year of Disabled People", Bob Niven, Chief Executive of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today.

Historic day as young disabled people get their say
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
A group of young disabled people who want a better future for millions of disabled people will get their say in a historic meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair, at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 10th June

Medical survey pinpoints 'further shortcoming' in Joffe Bill, says DRC
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Speaking today on the publication of a survey of medical opinion on the need for law reform to legalise assisted suicide, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said today

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