24 July 2007 - Successful year for the Disability Rights Commission

The Disability Rights Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 were published today.  Laying the report before Parliament, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain said:

“This Annual Report demonstrates the Disability Rights Commission’s extensive achievements in a milestone year.  In December 2006 wide ranging provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 on transport and the establishment of a Disability Equality Duty on all public bodies came into effect.

“I look forward to working with the Commission and its successor, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, in pursuit of their important agendas.”

Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, said:

“The Disability Rights Commission is a major force in ensuring legislation delivers real equality for disabled people. Last year’s wide-ranging achievements have included undertaking substantial activity to promote awareness of the Disability Equality Duty, and ensure that public bodies understand their duties to put equality for disabled people into effect.  The Commission has also prepared statutory codes of practice on the Disability Equality Duty, access, education and transport. 

“The Commision has worked hard to ensure that disability rights remain central to the work of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights as it  hands over the baton on disability rights to its successor body in October.”

Notes to editors

1. The Annual Report is presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to para.16(3) of Schedule 1, and the Accounts presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General, pursuant to para.15(2) of Schedule 1 to the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999.
2. Copies of the report can be bought from the Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522 or online at www.tso.co.uk/
3. The Disability Rights Commission was established by the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 to work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled people; promote equal opportunities; encourage good practice and keep the working of the Disability Discrimination Act and the DRC Act under review. The Commission opened for business in April 2000 and will close when the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) becomes operational in October this year.
4. The CEHR, established by the Equality Act 2006, will promote equality and tackle discrimination on the grounds of disability, gender, race, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief and from the start will take on the work of three commissions - the Disability Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality. The CEHR’s remit will include promoting and protecting human rights.
5. The Disability Equality Duty is part of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. There are four key elements to the duty, which require public sector organisations to:
   • eliminate unlawful disability discrimination and disability-related harassment;
   • promote equality of opportunity for disabled people;
   • promote positive attitudes; and
   • encourage disabled people to take part in public life.

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