Welfare Reform on the Web (August 2004): Services for the Disabled - UK

DELIVERING EQUALITY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

Department for Work and Pensions

London: TSO, 2004 (Cm 6255)

A consultation on the extension of the Disability Discrimination Act to cover the functions of public authorities and on the imposition of a positive duty on public bodies to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality for disabled people.

DISABILITY, SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND THE CONSEQUENTIAL EXPERIENCE OF JUSTICIABLE PROBLEMS

A. O'Grady and others

Disability and Society, vol.19, 2004, p.259-271

Using data from the Legal Services Research Centre's survey of justiciable problems, authors show that disabled people are more prone and vulnerable to experiencing a range of such difficulties, including problems with debt, housing and welfare benefits. "Justiciable" refers to a problem which has a potential recourse through law or the legal system, but which does not have to be dealt with in this way.

INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH A PHYSICAL OR SENSORY IMPAIRMENT: OVERVIEW REPORT

Social Services Inspectorate for Wales

2004

The report draws together key messages from six inspections of social services for adults with physical or sensory disabilities. These include:

• the need for a clear vision or philosophy concerning services for disabled people;
• the need for clear arrangements for joint planning with statutory and independent agencies;
• the need to ensure that services are purchased as the result of a clear commissioning strategy.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION BILL

House of Commons and House of Lords

London: TSO 2004 (House of Commons papers, session 2003/04; HC 352; HL Paper 82)

A report from the joint House of Commons and House of Lords Committee on the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill. Recommendations include changes to the existing Disability Discrimination Act's definition of disability, providing protection from discrimination to people associated with a disabled person (such as family members) and setting a deadline by which all trains should be accessible to disabled people. Concerns about the inadequacy of protection for disabled people with regard to housing are also discussed.