Disability Wales (DW) gave evidence at the Senedd on Monday 14th Oct in response to the Equality and Social Justice Committee inquiry into ‘Disability and Employment’
DW issued an urgent call for the Welsh Government to publish its long-awaited draft Disability Rights Action Plan drawing on the extensive work of the Disability Rights Taskforce which met between November 2021 – July 2024. This comes amid rising concerns about the lack of progress and accountability in ensuring equal rights and inclusion for disabled individuals across the nation since the impact of Covid-19 ‘Locked Out’ report in 2021.
The draft Disability Rights Action Plan is expected to address a wide range of issues, including access to healthcare, education, social care as well as employment for disabled people in Wales. It is seen as a critical document that would outline specific steps to enhance inclusivity, remove barriers, and tackle the systemic challenges faced by disabled individuals.
Disability Wales expressed frustration over the delay, emphasizing that disabled people in Wales continue to face significant inequalities and challenges, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic together with the cost of living crisis. The organisation has highlighted the need for clear, time-bound commitments from the Welsh Government to safeguard the rights and dignity of disabled individuals.
The delay in publishing the action plan is affecting Welsh Government’s progress with tackling the issues raised by Committee members, including the ongoing disability employment and pay gap, low numbers of disabled people taking up apprenticeships and discrimination in the workplace. All of which were key concerns highlighted in the Locked-Out Report and by disabled people involved in the Taskforce Working Groups.
This appeal reflects the broader concerns of the disability community in Wales, as they seek more robust policies to address accessibility, social justice, and equality, ensuring that the voices of disabled people are heard and reflected in government policies.
Link to Senedd evidence session: https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Archive/5d4bfb5f-0654-4fbe-8bb3-e7aedbb80ee0?autostart=True
Further information about the Senedd inquiry: https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=44234
Link to Locked Out report: https://www.gov.wales/locked-out-liberating-disabled-peoples-lives-and-rights-wales-beyond-covid-19
Further information on the Disability Rights Taskforce: https://www.gov.wales/disability-rights-taskforce/about-us