Rowen calls for end to 'disability barrier'

Rochdale MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Minister, Paul Rowen, has urged all parties to involve more disabled people in local and national decision making. Mr Rowen was speaking at the Liberal Democrat Conference during a fringe meeting entitled 'An Enabling Society.'

The meeting, which was chaired by Mr Rowen, was held to provide the opportunity for interested parties to express their ideas to the disability spokespeople in the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Mr Rowen was joined by Baroness Celia Thomas of Winchester, Manchester Councillor John Commons and representatives from SCOPE and the MS Society.

The discussion covered many Liberal Democrat policies including winter fuel payments, regulating the blue-badge scheme, improving access on public transport and many more new ideas posed by the attendees.

Paul Rowen, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Minister commented; "It was a pleasure to chair this meeting and it was great to see so many people turning up to have their say. The Liberal Democrats need to show that they are committed to encouraging people to just live their lives and more importantly that 'people' includes everyone, regardless of irrelevant labels like 'disabled'. For the Liberal Democrats, equality of opportunity is not an optional extra - it is the core of our political philosophy. Fighting discrimination in all forms underpins our policies.

Mr Rowen added: "For people with disabilities, the disadvantages that many face can be traced directly to the way out society operates, particularly our public services and benefits system. There are many practical and affordable changes the government could make now that would drastically help to create more inclusive communities. For example the Government could establish an Access to Public Life Fund that can help disabled people who want to stand for elected or appointed office to meet the extra costs associated with their impairments.'

Baroness Celia Thomas said: "Disabled people should be meaningfully involved in local and national decision-making , and able to actively participate in a transparent and accountable democratic system. In order to achieve this it's important that all parties include these pledges within their manifestos. Policies that ensure every disabled person has the freedom to choose where they live and the take the support package with them if they move, for example, would greatly improve the lives of millions of disabled people across our country."