Supplementary evidence by Roy Webb, National
Centre for Independent Living (DDB 141)
Added point of information: The joint committee
asked if the list of practical points making up the seven points
of independent living were just another way of saying that local
authority services need to be joined up. I think what we are saying
is that experience shows that we need a specific check list of
points where equality can be promoted and discrimination avoided
which are different from and separate to, although overlapping
with the areas where social services already provide support.
In other words there are many things a local authority can do
to promote equality and avoid discrimination by increasing its
activity or changing its activity in these key areas. What we
are trying to identify are levers which can and should be used
by local authorities in order to carry out the duties laid down
in this bill. Practical experience with other anti discrimination
legislation has led to a similar conclusion. Local authorities
could decide not to force someone to go in to residential care
against their will. They could provide training in looking for
and obtaining work for disabled people. They could have much more
extensive policies on access to housing. These go just that step
beyond statutory services but add to the ability to stop discrimination
and promote equality.
March 2004
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