A report examined the visions and objectives which a single equality body might pursue, and the principles of equality which should inform policy decisions.
Source: Sandra Fredman, The Future of Equality in Britain, Equal Opportunities Commission (0161 833 9244)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
An Audit Commission report asserted a strong business case for greater diversity in the public sector: public sector services need to develop a more diverse workforce in line with recent legislative changes, and to be able to provide more appropriate services to an increasingly diverse population with varying needs.
Source: Directions in Diversity: Current opinion and good practice, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A government consultation document considered the contribution of equality institutions to making equal opportunities a reality and to promoting equality and diversity across society; and set out a range of options for future structures for these institutions, including a single equality commission. A second consultation document outlined proposed changes in the law to implement European anti-discrimination directives relating to employment.
Source: Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500) | Equality and Diversity: The Way Ahead, Department of Trade and Industry
Links: Making it Happen | Way Ahead (rtf) | Way Ahead: Summary (pdf) | Index to draft regulations | ODPM press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 7.2
Date: 2002-Oct
Disabled people are four times more likely to be violently assaulted than non-disabled people, according to research.
Source: Samantha Cunningham and Susannah Drury, Access All Areas: A guide for community safety partnerships on working more effectively with disabled people, National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (020 7501 0555)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release | Community Care article
Date: 2002-Oct
An analysis of 50 corporate responsibility reports of leading United Kingdom and global companies found that few mention disability as part of the company's corporate responsibility strategy.
Source: AccountAbility, The Missing Persons Report: Global Inclusion Benchmark of Corporate Reporting on Disability, Employers Forum on Disability (020 7403 3020)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
The Disability Rights Commission reported a big increase in demand for its services in 2001-02, including a 56 per cent increase in legal cases it supported.
Source: Annual Review 2001-02, Disability Rights Commission (08457 622633)
Links: Report (Word file)
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers examined the attitudes towards, and experiences of, disabled people in Britain. The research found that most people feel the position of disabled people has improved in the past 20 years, but also that strong attitudinal and structural barriers remain.
Source: Ini Grewal, Sarah Joy, Jane Lewis, Kirby Swales and Kandy Woodfield, 'Disabled for Lfe?': Attitudes Towards, and Experiences of, Disability in Britain, Research Report 173, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf links) | Press release (1) | Press release (2)
Date: 2002-Aug
A report examined the accessibility of the May 2002 local election pilot voting schemes. It concluded that the pilots provided a valuable opportunity to plan the accessibility of future voting systems.
Source: Gwilym Morris, Ruth Scott and Anna Woodward, Polls Apart: A Future for Accessible Democracy, Scope (020 7619 7341)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 10.3
Date: 2002-Jul
The Disability Rights Commission expressed 'deep disappointment and frustration' at the government's failure to include promised measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people in its legislative programme for the following parliamentary year.
Source: Press release 16 July 2002, Disability Rights Commission (08457 622 633)
Links: DRC press release
Date: 2002-Jul
The government began consultation on proposals to merge the three main equality commissions (Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission, and Equal Opportunities Commission) into a single body.
Source: Press release 15.5.02, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2002-May