New Office for Disability Issues

The UK government has launched a new Office for Disability Issues (ODI), which will focus on promoting equality for disabled people.

In particular the aim of the ODI is to ensure that government departments work together to make disability a priority.  The move follows publication earlier this year of a key report on Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. 

Secretary of state for work and pensions, John Hutton, said: "We need to improve the way government supports disabled people in living independently - and the new Office for Disability Issues represents a huge step forward.

"It demonstrates the government's welfare reform agenda is about achieving substantive equality for disabled people - promoting opportunity to work for those who can, together with increased support for those who cannot."

The launch coincides with a new 'Adjusting for Better Business' campaign, aimed at raising greater awareness of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) among small to medium size businesses and service providers.  A recent survey by Select Appointments revealed that two-thirds of companies are still failing to provide adequate facilities for people with disabilities. 

DDA protection now extends to include people with multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV.

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