- Home
- About
- News
- Back to News listing
- Committee invites views on Disability Commissioner proposal
Committee invites views on Disability Commissioner proposal
27 March 2024
Should Scotland have a Disability Commissioner? This is what a Holyrood Committee is asking and it now wants to hear from disabled people and those you care, support and live with.
The Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill has been introduced by Jeremy Balfour MSP. The Bill would establish a commissioner, who would be expected to promote and safeguard the rights of disabled people.
The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee will be scrutinising the Bill and want to hear views on the proposals in the Bill before it takes public evidence.
In particular, the Committee wants people to share their views on the proposal to establish a commissioner, the powers that the Commissioner would have and the involvement that disabled people should have in the Commissioner’s work.
The consultation, which opened today, will be open until Friday 17 May.
Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, said:
“With approximately one fifth of Scotland’s population defining themselves as disabled, our Committee welcomes any discussion on what can be done to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
“Our newly opened consultation will help frame our scrutiny of the proposals in the Bill. What we hear from the public will define our evidence sessions and ultimately be reported back to the Parliament.
“We’re especially keen to hear what Scotland’s disabled community make of the proposals, which is why we are providing our consultation in a range of formats, including Easy Read and BSL.”
Background Details
The Committee’s call for views is open: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/disability-commissioner-bill
The Committee is expected to take evidence on the Bill later in 2024.
Contact Details
Media information
07989 200 565
Public information
Telephone enquiry line: 0800 092 7500 or 0131 348 5395 (Gàidhlig)
Text 07786 209 888
We also welcome calls using the Text Relay service or in British Sign Language through contactSCOTLAND-BSL.