UUP MLA welcomes new Disability Legislation
Belly Bell MLA, UUP Spokesperson for Disability Issues, has welcomed the introduction of new legislation to protect the rights people with disabilities. The Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 will expand the protections given to the disabled.
Equality Minister, Jeff Rooker announced the introduction of legislation to improve the civil rights of Northern Ireland’s 300,000 people with disabilities. The Order will increase the scope of legislation to include more people with disabilities. People diagnosed with cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis (MS) but not yet showing signs of their illness will be protected by the new legislation for the first time.
Mr. Bell said: “Ensuring equality for citizens with disability is necessary for any fair society. People experiencing a range of illnesses - including cancer, MS and mental illness - are now brought under the protection of the law. The delay in extending to people with disabilities in Northern Ireland the same rights and protection as elswhere in the UK was unacceptable. Now that the Government has addressed this situation, it is essential that its implementation is carefully monitored to ensure that disabled citizens experience equality in day-to-day life.”