Guide Dogs join the Disability Debate

Guide Dogs join the Disability Debate

The debate asks how we can ensure that by the year 2020, Britain can be a place where all disabled people are equal citizens – living  active lives that are fulfilling and rewarding for themselves and valued by others.

Bert Massie, Chairman of the DRC said ‘While massive progress has been made since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) first came onto the statute book in 1995, there is still a long way to go to reaching this goal".

Rebecca Atherton, spokesperson for Guide Dogs says, “Guide Dogs is pleased to be taking part in the debate and will be consulting with our client representatives to find out what guide dog owners feel needs to be achieved over the next 15 years to secure equal rights and opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.”

The Disability Debate seeks to identify and articulate the big priorities for a new disability agenda and provide a roadmap for both the organisation which will replace the DRC, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) and for Government over the next 10-15 years. 

Questions that will form part of the Disability Debate include:

• how can we ensure disabled people are safe and feel like they fully belong in their communities?
• how can disabled people be equipped with the skills to play an active role in society?
• how can we ensure that disabled people are in control of their own lives?
• how can we reform the welfare state so that it supports independence rather than creating dependence?  

People can read the papers and take part in the debate on-line at www.disabilitydebate.org, listen to a summary of the paper and leave comments on a local rate phone line 0845 333 0303, or order a copy of the paper from the DRC Helpline on:

Tel: 08457 622 633 Textphone 08457 622 644 Quoting reference number DRC35