Speakers Conference report outlines disability recommendations

12th January 2010

A number of recommendations have been made in a recent report by the Speakers Conference - a cross-parliamentary committee launched to examine equality in government.

Released yesterday (January 11th), the review called on political parties to publish their targets for disabled representation for their organisation in December 2015 and December 2020.

Additionally, it urged these bodies to revamp their websites to enable better access for disabled individuals, while producing all campaign documents in Braille.

Other suggestions included repealing Section 141 of the 1983 Mental Health Act - which states that any MP detained under the act for a period of more than six months loses their seat.

These measures, the report noted, could help disabled people to feel less marginalised, which is "key to empowering" them in the workplace and other areas.

Last year, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Trevor Phillips stated that parliament still has some way to go before equal representation becomes a reality.

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