DDB 125 Scottish Independent Advocacy
Alliance
22 March 2004
Jennifer Smookier
Committee Specialist
Committee Office
House of Lords
Millbank House
London
SWIA OPW
Dear Ms Smookler
Re - The
Draft Disability Discrimination Bill 2003
Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting
our response to you, I have unfortunately been off sick.
The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance welcomes
this opportunity to comment on the Draft Disability Discrimination
Bill. As the national Advocacy membership organisation for Scotland
we support all the advocacy organisations in Scotland and help
them deliver high quality advocacy to vulnerable individuals.
As the Joint Committee may be aware, advocacy is
mentioned in the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland)
Act 2003. Both the Advocacy and Service User movements in Scotland
welcomed this development in the legislation. We felt that it
was a move that was long overdue and would ultimately help Mental
Health services to carry out their duties whilst ensuring the
human rights of the individual. Therefore the SIAA would urge
the Joint Committee to consider the inclusion of Independent Advocacy
in the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill. Independent Advocacy
organisations play an important role in addressing the discrimination,
inequality and stigma faced by individuals with a disability.
The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 places
a duty on Local Authorities and Health Boards to secure independent
advocacy which means that vulnerable people with a mental illness
will have access to an independent advocate. The SIAA would strongly
urge the Joint Committee consider such a measure for other people
with a disability.
A large proportion of our members support individuals
with a mental illness we feel that this group should be recognised
under the Disability Discrimination Bill.
Please find enclosed copies of our publicity leaflets
for your information. We would be pleased to provide the Joint
Committee with any further information should it be required.
Yours sincerely,
Shaben Begum
Director
Encs.
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