§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to consult organisations representing people with learning difficulties in respect of the implementation of future disability discrimination legislation. [34831]
§ Mr. BurtThe Government intend to consult extensively over the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Bill. These consultations will include contact with organisations representing people with learning difficulties.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy towards making available publications concerning disability1492W issues in pictorial and simple text format for people with learning difficulties. [34832]
§ Mr. BurtThe Disability Discrimination Bill will ensure that information, including Government information, is made more accessible to disabled people. This Department will comply with these requirements while ensuring that its information is accurate and unambiguous.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy that any future disability discrimination legislation will be made available in pictures and will adopt a simple text format for people with learning difficulties. [34833]
§ Mr. BurtThe Disability Discrimination Bill will ensure that information, including Government information, is made more accessible to disabled people. The Government intend to publish information—in the simplest terms possible—explaining the provisions of the Bill once it receives Royal Assent. However, while every effort it made to ensure that legislation is as clear and understandable as possible, only an exact reproduction of parliamentary legislation can have any legal validity, and this is not achievable in pictorial form or in simple language.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what policies will be implemented in legislation to ensure that the right of people with learning difficulties are protected following the enactment of the Disability Discrimination Bill. [34836]
§ Mr. BurtThe Disability Discrimination Bill defines a disabled person as one who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. It will, therefore, protect those with learning difficulties who fall into this category by introducing new rights in employment and in relation to access to goods and services. The Bill also establishes a new National Disability Council and will ensure that advice and support is available to help disabled people secure their rights under the new legislation.