Disability equality: achieving access for all

’Access’ for disabled people means much more than ramps and lifts. It is also about access to the democratic process, to information, to services and to resources says a new set of practical guidelines for local authorities.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which has now come into force, sets out the minimum rights and standards which disabled people are entitled to. But the Association of London Government, which published the guidelines, believes that the act does not go far enough and is calling for stronger legislation to tackle discrimination against disable people.

’We will argue the case for a National Disability Commission with greater powers of enforcement’, said Cllr Simon Green, ALG spokesperson on disability equality.

The guidelines make a wide range of recommendations on achieving ‘access for all’ including advice on how to improve the effectiveness of consultation and communication with disabled people.

Disability equality: achieving access for all. £10. Association of London Government: 0171 222 7799