Government office for disabled people launched

Thursday, 1 December 2005 12:00 AM

People with disabilities will now have a stronger voice in policy-making following the announcement of a new cross-government office.

Launched today, the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) hopes to improve partnerships across government departments with regard to policies that affect disabled people.

Announcing the news, Tony Blair said: "Today's launch shows that we are making real progress - and that there is commitment right across government to work together in delivering a better future for disabled people."

The news was welcomed by Disability Rights Commission (DRC) chief executive Bob Niven, who added: "Disabled people want to be involved in designing the policies that affect them and not merely at the receiving end of policies designed by others.

"On this basis, the DRC supports the Office of Disability Issues in its work across government to put in place the policies needed for disabled people."

Tags:
• constitution
,
• disability discrimination
,
• disabled people
,
• domestic policy
,
• equality
,
• government and administration