Disability rights plan risks failure, warns watchdog

The Disabled People's Rights Plan aims to give people more rights across a range of areas in Wales

Key parts of the Welsh government's flagship plan to improve disabled people's rights need to be rewritten, according to the equalities watchdog.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called on ministers to commit to clear targets and timeframes.

It warns that without revisions, including greater accountability and regular progress reports, the plan risks becoming merely symbolic. The concerns echo those made by some disabled rights groups earlier this year.

The Welsh government said it was considering responses to a consultation and would ensure "the views of disabled people are central to our final publication".

Interim chair of the EHRC's Wales Committee Martyn Jones said: "As Britain's equality regulator, we are committed to promoting the rights of disabled people and ensuring they can participate easily and equally in society.

"We welcome the Welsh government's ambition to improve disabled people's rights, but it's crucial they go further to make Wales as inclusive and accessible as possible.

"For too long, the Welsh government has failed to deliver the services disabled people need.

"Without revisions, the commitments made in the draft Disabled People's Rights Plan risk becoming symbolic."

The Disabled People's Rights Plan aims to give people more rights across a range of areas in Wales.

But critics have said much of the detail could fall off the agenda, especially after a new government is elected next year.

After criticism of the plan in June, the Welsh government said short-term recommendations from a disability rights taskforce had been "turned into actions" while longer-term aims would help guide future governments towards its "10-year vision".

Martyn Jones says ministers must go further to provide services people with disabilities need

Ministers have been working on the taskforce for the past four years.

It produced more than 300 recommendations for reform in areas such as social care, employment, housing and travel, in a plan that stretches over the next 10 years.

But some who took part have said the recommendations have not been incorporated in the document sent out for consultation.

Speaking to the Senedd in June, the minister responsible, Jane Hutt, called the plan a progress report which set out some of the achievements made so far and the Welsh government's ongoing work to achieve positive outcomes for disabled people.

"It is future Senedd government's who will set out the medium to long-term actions that they will take to achieve the ambition and outcomes for disabled people set out in this 10-year plan, but we've started to take forward some of the short-term actions now," she added.

On Friday, responding to the commission's warning, the Welsh government said it was seeking to "make Wales an inclusive, accessible place where disabled people can live free from barriers and discrimination".

A spokesperson said its draft plan "has been shaped by disabled people themselves, with over 350 organisations and individuals with lived experience and expertise contributing through our Disability Rights Taskforce".

"The plan includes an External Advisory Board, led by disabled people, to monitor how it is implemented.

"We are currently considering the consultation responses and will ensure that the views of disabled people are central to our final publication."

Does the EHRC think it will get the changes it wants?

Interviewed by BBC Wales later on Friday, Martyn Jones expressed determination, on behalf of the EHRC, to ensure Welsh ministers "come up with the goods" on this matter.

Stressing that the commission has a "very productive relationship with Welsh government" he also emphasised "we are the national equalities regulator and a national human rights institution".

"Our function is to ensure that public bodies, including Welsh government, come up with the goods on these policy intents," he said.

"We will use all the statutory powers we have at our disposal to assist and advise Welsh government to get this plan where it needs to be."