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The Department for Work and Pensions has rejected allegations from the Disability Rights Commission that it has back-tracked on the government's manifesto pledge to introduce enforceable civil rights for disabled people.

Labour's 2001 election manifesto committed the government to implementing the bulk of the legislative proposals put forward by the disability rights task force in 1999. But DRC chief executive Bob Niven said last week that he had learned that the next parliamentary session would not see the introduction of the anticipated disability bill.

He argued that, without legislation, some gaps would remain. He said: "Legally enforceable entitlements to equality are an essential part of transforming the opportunities available to disabled people in practice, as well as providing foundations for co-operative working with employers and service providers."

In a letter sent last week to seven leading disability charities asking for their support in challenging the government, Niven complained about the effect of the failure to secure a slot for primary legislation.

He wrote: "Some of the disability rights task force's recommendations of key importance to disabled people will not be implemented, in particular the extension of disability rights to cover transport, housing and all public functions through a positive duty on the public sector to promote disability equality, as already exists in respect to race."

DRC chairperson Bert Massie has also written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, objecting to the failure to implement the task force's proposals.

A spokesperson for the DWP declined to comment on the content of the Queen's Speech or whether any timescale had been set for the introduction of a disability bill. But she insisted that the government remained committed to fulfilling all its manifesto pledges, including the delivery of enforceable civil rights for disabled people.

"We lead the way in Europe with the most comprehensive and far-reaching package of rights for disabled people," she said.

"We will continue to extend those rights through the most appropriate means."