DDB 95 Advocacy
Across London
The Draft Disability Discrimination
Bill 2003
Response of Advocacy Across London
to the Joint Committee
1. Advocacy Across London welcomes
the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill 2003 and thanks the Joint
Committee for this opportunity to comment on it.
2. Advocacy Across London is a support
and resource agency for approximately 150 Advocacy organisations
in London. Most of these services offer essential support to Disabled
People in their dealings with public and community services. Advocacy
is defined as "Taking action to help people say what they
want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain
services they need. Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership
with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes
social inclusion, equality and social justice." (Advocacy
Charter 2002)
3. Advocacy Across London recommends
the Government recognise the role Advocacy organisations have
in addressing issues of discrimination and inequality in relation
to disabled people and services. In particular we would recommend
that under 49A and the general Duty of Public Authorities to promote
Disability Equality the strategic development and funding of Advocacy
is specifically mentioned. This is particularly important in relation
to section 21D and the role of advocacy in preventing the public
authority from carrying out its functions less favourably to disabled
and for supporting disabled people to be fully involved in processes
that concern them.
4. In addition we urge the Government
to adopt a more joined up approach to the strategic development
of advocacy for disabled people generally. This follows from the
specific mention of advocacy in Draft Mental Health legislation
and the Mental Incapacity Bill. We will be pleased to provide
any further information or evidence to the committee if required.
For further information contact:
Advocacy Across London
PO Box 31856
Lorrimore Square
London
SE17 3XR
020 7820 7868
info@advocacyacrosslondon.org.uk
www.advocacyacrosslondon.org.uk
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