The Scottish Parliament is seeking feedback on their Proposed Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill via an online consulation; however, alternative methods of responding are available on request.
The Proposal sets out the aims of establishing the role of Disability Commissioner, which will:
- be independent
- promote and safeguard the rights of disabled people
- keep the law under review, and assess the adequacy of policy and practice relating to the rights of disabled people
- promote best practice and learning from service providers, including the third sector
- have regard for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- encourage disabled people’s involvement in the work of the Commissioner
- communicate in an inclusive way, paying particular attention to groups of disabled people who do not have other adequate means where they can make their views known
- be involved in devolved legislative reform and policy development affecting disabled groups in the community, and work with other organisations and agencies to promote the rights of these groups
- have the powers to carry out general investigations into devolved matters if they see that the issue relates to disabled people generally, or specific groups of disabled people, and individual investigations as required
- report to the Scottish Parliament on an annual basis
In addition, the Proposal explains how the Disability Commissioner would interact with current legislation, and gives examples of existing Commissioner structures, both operating in Scotland and internationally.
The full draft Proposal can be accessed on the Scottish Parliament website (linked for your convenience).
The deadline for responses to the online consultation is NEXT WEDNESDAY 3rd AUGUST.
To submit your response online, or for further information, please visit the Scottish Parliament survey page.
Alternatively, to request access to the survey in alternative formats, please contact the office of Jeremy Balfour, MSP:
- by phone: 0131 348 5961
- by post: Jeremy Balfour MSP, Room 3.12, Scottish Parliament 33, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP
- by email: balfour.msp@parliament.scot
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