Parliament must put disability inclusion at the heart of policy making
3 min read
Nearly three decades after the landmark Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Britain has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the lives of at least some disabled people.
The journey from marginalisation to inclusion represents a powerful social progress shift driven by extraordinary disability rights activism and legislative commitment.
The 1990s saw bold, provocative protests against a discriminatory world. Chaining themselves to buses and throwing paint in Downing Street, campaigners embodied the powerful slogan "Piss on pity" - demanding not charity but citizenship rights.
Before the legislation, disabled individuals faced systemic barriers that were both legally sanctioned and socially accepted. It was perfectly legal to refuse employment solely based on disability; talented individuals were offered jobs only to have the offer withdrawn when they were open about their mental or physical impairment. Disabled children were consigned to limited educational opportunities and offered activities like basket weaving in segregated, low-expectation environments.
Successive governments progressively strengthened disability legislation. In the 2000s, rights were extended to education and transport. The 2013 Mental Health (Discrimination) Act removed discriminatory bars for those serving on a jury or as a company director. A proactive duty was placed on public bodies to promote equality (in 2005), rather than only offering redress after people faced discrimination, in what became the Public Sector Equality Duty (2010).
Despite significant progress, disabled people remain disproportionately likely to live in poverty, experience educational disadvantage, be out of work or in low-paid work or experience social isolation. And whilst physical barriers in public buildings and transport have been significantly reduced, huge social barriers persist for children and adults who are autistic, living with learning disabilities or have significant energy impairments (like severe long Covid). The next challenge for policymakers is to build policies that work for the full range of disabled people.
In the 2000s, the Disability Rights Commission argued for "putting disability at the heart of public policy," recognising that distinct civil rights laws, vital though they are, were not enough and that broader inclusive policies would benefit society. By improving disabled people's skills and opportunities, for instance, the UK can unlock substantial economic potential.
For this year and beyond, there is an opportunity to put disability inclusion at the heart of the major planks of UK government policy. This would create more effective policies and opportunities for disabled people to contribute. This could include ensuring the plan to enable more people to secure better jobs is specifically designed to open up job and skills opportunities to disabled people, with employers reporting transparently on their progress in closing disability employment and pay gaps.
Ensuring the planned curriculum review and improved access to disabled pupils in mainstream schools are designed around human difference, enabling pupils with diverse needs to flourish.
Putting disability into the frame of policy areas such as health, housing and transport will enable greater participation of disabled people in society. This approach could prevent high levels of economic inactivity and transform disabled people's participation in social and economic life. The Office for Equality and Opportunity presents an opportunity to coordinate policy across Government.
Parliamentarians have a crucial role in building the next 30 years of progress. Legislators can help create a more equitable society by developing and scrutinising policy and ensuring it genuinely promotes inclusive growth and delivery.
Ultimately, disability rights are not only about separate laws and policies but embedding disability equality across policy and legal frameworks, recognising every individual's inherent dignity, potential, and right to contribute fully to our shared national success.
Phil Friend OBE is former Chair of Disability Rights UK. Liz Sayce OBE is former Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK will be delivering the Lord Speaker’s Lecture on November 27 in the House of Lords.
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