Forum Brief: Draft Disability Bill

Government plans to make it easier for people with mental health impairments to take cases under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) have been announced.

Forum Response: Leonard Cheshire

John Knight, head of policy at Leonard Cheshire, said: "The sooner the government set their end-date the better.

"Everyone can then start planning ahead, and there is more chance of the deadline actually being met.

"This was a good opportunity for the government to set out their position and build on some of the good work they have done for disabled people since 1997.

"We will continue to press the government hard to follow the joint committee's advice and go for 2017."

Forum Response: Disability Rights Commission

Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said: "Many people with mental health impairments had to experience embarrassment, ignominy and stress when bringing cases under the DDA.

"In many circumstances they were legally defined as not being covered by the law and denied their rights because their condition was not clinically recognised.

"The change announced today, which I warmly welcome, will finally end this perverse injustice and ensure that people with mental health problems are granted the same protection under law as other disabled people.

"According to a recent survey some 17,000 disabled people living in unsuitable accommodation have been refused permission to make essential changes and the anxiety, stress and hardship caused is incalculable. 

"We were very pleased that the joint committee agreed with us and urged the government to include this in the draft Bill.

"We hope that further progress will be made on this point as the Bill proceeds through parliament."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for the Blind

Lesley-Anne Alexander, RNIB’s chief executive said: “Whilst we commend the government for all their work on extending disabled people’s civil rights since 1997, we are disappointed that they have not recognised the clear need for legislation in many areas such as protection for disabled tenants, agreeing on an end date when older inaccessible rail vehicles will have to be taken out of service and protection for volunteers with disabilities.

"We will now begin lobbying to ensure the Bill is amended to reflect the comprehensive recommendations of the Joint Committee. We believe these changes are vital in moving towards full civil rights for disabled people."