Maginness: Need For More Job Opportunities For The Disabled

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Speaking ahead of the Disability Action AGM today SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has urged the Equality Commission to pursue more employment opportunities for disabled people.

He said: "The SDLP support increased employment opportunities for disabled people compatible with the exercise of independent living in so far as it is practical.

"We must improve the life chances of disabled people needing support and give them increased choice and control over their lives and the local administration should commit itself to that.

"There is an argument being made that a separate Disability Commissioner should be established for Northern Ireland. However, we already have an Equality Commission which covers fair employment, equality, racial discrimination and disability and I feel that rather than appointing a separate Commissioner for Disability, the Equality Commission should be supported and properly resourced so it can cover all of its four areas effectively and efficiently.

"Today Disability Action will also raise the issues of welfare reform and assisted suicide. I personally believe that any new approach on welfare reform should be based on an economic and social model of disability, not a medical model.

"From an ethical point of view I am opposed to assisted suicide. This subject is very topical and painful for many people but the question is: who is in a proper position of authority to judge whether a person's quality of life is so deficient as to warrant assisted suicide?"

ENDS

Further information:
Alban Maginness MLA 07890 878955
Or SDLP Press Office 028 9052 1364