Today's a pretty big day for disability, globally and nationally.
It's the United Nations' International Day of People with Disabilities, which is designed to highlight the needs of disabled people worldwide and promote equality.
And off the back of this public bodies and charities have issued a number of statements and reports offering their different perspectives on the state of play on disability in the UK.
So, in no particular order:-
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission has announced an inquiry into how public bodies tackle disability-related harassment (something they are under a duty to tackle). This follows concerns raised by the infamous case of Fiona Pilkington and her daughter Francecca.
- The government's Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has published a report charting its progress on delivering on the target to achieve equality for disabled people by 2025, as well as a report on its future plans in relation to the target.
- Charity Leonard Cheshire Disability has made a plea for programmes helping disabled people into employment to be spared from forthcoming public spending cuts.
While the ODI's message is one of progress for disabled people in the UK, Leonard Cheshire's recent Disability Review 2009 told a different story, including worsening poverty and reduced access to social care.
Let us hope that the UN day is a catalyst for positive change rather than a mere symbol.
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