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   Disability- 'a crucial matter'
Lord Ashley of Stoke writes for ePolitix.com ahead of his question on the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation. Disability has traditionally been in the backwaters, a subject which leads to yawns and boredom. Yet it is a crucial matter, as millions of people are affected. The reason for this shelving of problems is that there are many subjects which are seen as 'glamorous' and 'challenging', such as medicine or science. Yet disability is itself challenging because it literally cripples so many people whose lives are twisted and distorted by their disability. Alleviating this suffering is a monumental task, and an exciting one too. Yet in the past it has been seen as a moribund subject. There is also the challenge of finance for disabled people. There are no fewer than 17 separate financial benefits, and the questions of who gets which allowances – and who is denied which – are endlessly fascinating. We now have a minister for disabled people and an Office of Disability Issues, both of which are helpful. But what we don't have are regular, structured discussions between government and disability organisations. As the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation is an umbrella organisation, it is best to begin with them. As these discussions develop, I hope there will be more communication with the multifarious disability organisations that exist and that benefits will develop. Source: epolitix.com Copyright Dods Parliamentary Communications
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