New Government legislation which aims to end discrimination against disabled people has been warmly welcomed by voluntary organisation Arthritis Care.

As the Disability Discrimination Bill enters its final Parliamentary stage today (Mar 23), the organsation’s acting chief executive, Neil Betteridge, described its passage through the House of Commons as a ‘watershed moment in the long struggle for the social equality and civil rights of disabled people.’

Mr Betteridge added: ‘Of course, much needed amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act will not makes things perfect overnight, and there are still issues which will remain under discussion. But this new legislation is fundamental to enshrining the civil rights of disabled people in law, it represents a truly significant and historic step forward.’

Arthritis Care is the UK ’s largest voluntary organisation working for and with people with arthritis. Around nine million people in the UK have arthritis, making it the single biggest cause of physical disability. Significantly, 72 per cent of people with arthritis meet the criteria of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Ensuring public access to public transport for disabled people is made an integral part of the new bill has been particularly welcomed by Mr Betteridge, who is also chair of the Government’s Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Group.

‘Guaranteeing the rights of disabled people to access to public transport is a pivotal step towards achieving social inclusion, ‘ said Mr Betteridge. ‘The Government’s decision to include provisions to address current problems in this area are crucial to achieving equality for disabled people.’

Arthritis Care had expressed concern that the existing Disability Discrimination Act did not include access to public transport. For example, under current legislation a bus driver can deny access to a disabled person. Arthritis Care welcomes the removal of this exemption in the new bill.

  (24/3/05)