Public bodies will have to promote disability equality

The inclusion in a new disability bill of a legal duty to promote disability equality - similar to the duty to promote race equality - has been welcomed by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

The new duty will require public bodies to produce clear policies and action plans to tackle disability discrimination.

The draft bill also has measures to protect people with long term progressive conditions - such as cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis - from discrimination.

DRC chair Bert Massie said the provision for a public sector duty to promote disability equality will have "seismic implications" in reforming practices and policies across a wide range of activities.