Memorandum from Advocacy Across London
(DDB 95)
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.
March 2004
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