8. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: International Day of Disabled Persons

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:42 pm on 29 November 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Altaf Hussain Altaf Hussain Conservative 4:42, 29 November 2022

Thank you, Minister, for your statement. It is a pleasure to recognise the importance of the international day of disabled people and the continued efforts of all those who work, day after day, to promote, defend and advance the rights of people who live with disabilities. A year ago, we had this statement, as we always do, and, in that discussion last year, I asked the Minister what has changed for the better and what she has done to improve the lives of disabled people over the past 12 months. Could she say so now?

I also asked if the Minister would review the effectiveness of the legislative protections afforded to disabled people in Wales, and I would ask her to consider this considering the experiences of blind people in Wales. Recently I met with campaigners to back the Royal National Institute of Blind People work to highlight the rights for guide dogs to enter shops, cafes and other businesses. Could I ask for the Minister for Social Justice to consider whether the rights of those who are blind are being infringed, and if so, what steps she might take to work with the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses to promote better standards, respect and understanding? It is astonishing that in 2022 we could still envisage a world where shops and businesses still refuse entry to people with guide dogs, even when there are legal duties to permit access. If we want to do meaningful things, let's identify the challenge that people still face, and do what we can to put them right. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you.