Disabled promised more rights

Business need to ensure disabled are given opportunity to work

Labour has promised a better deal for disabled people, ensuring even more benefits for those that need them.

This will include new rights for cancer patients who will now be protected against employers sacking them simply because of their illness.

On Monday, the Minister for Disabled People, Margaret Hodge promised to extend the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to protect even more disabled people.

For the first time the act will be extended to the police, fire fighters and prison officers - ensuring disabled people are not discriminated against.

This is the most significant programme of reforms since disability rights legislation was first introduced 30 years ago

Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission

Labour say the legislation will extend the rights of nearly 600,000 disabled people already in jobs and cover nearly seven million people who are currently excluded.

Mrs Hodge said that while most employers respected the rights of the disabled, the Disability Rights Task Force had reported some shocking examples of where this was not the case.

Task force

She said: "The Task Force cites evidence of several women in remission from cancer, with less than a 50% chance of the cancer recurring, who have been sacked or selected for redundancy.

"This is shameful.

"The taskforce found that some employers discriminate against people diagnosed with cancer even though the cancer had no present effects, or was in remission.

"I know that the vast majority of employers would never behave in such a fashion and many employers are supportive; but for those that aren't, their employees need the protection of the law."

Mrs Hodge said the government would also change the law regarding the blind.

She said that some blind or partially-sighted people had difficulty proving that they were disabled, but that this would change with those registered under local authority schemes being accepted.

It will require us to establish very clearly what the requirements are to be an effective police officer

Paul Whitehouse, Chief Constable of Sussex police

Small businesses will be given until 2004 to make their premises suitable to employ disabled workers and public bodies will be required to provide equal opportunities.

The fire service, police and prison services will no longer be exempt from complying with the act.

Mrs Hodge said: "Physically demanding jobs like nurses and ambulance crews, are already covered by the Act and it hasn't led to the recruitment of people who are clearly unsuitable to such posts."

Highly significant

Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) said: "This is the most significant programme of reforms since disability rights legislation was first introduced 30 years ago.

"Once these measures are implemented we will all be living in a much fairer and inclusive society.

"Disabled people face discrimination on a daily basis, often being barred from many aspects of daily life."

Paul Whitehouse, Chief Constable of Sussex police said he welcomed the law change.

"It will require us to establish very clearly what the requirements are to be an effective police officer and also assist in ensuring that police officers do not have to retire early unnecessarily."

Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses said: "We welcome the Government's proposals and hope that we can work with them, the Disability Rights Commission, and others to help small businesses prepare for the changes."