Four charities that work with the disabled have backed calls by Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle for a Commissioner for the Disabled to be established.
Disability Cymru, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Scope and SNAP Cymru have given their backing in principle to the idea of a Welsh champion for the disabled, as already happens with children and older people. Other disability organisations will be approached to add their support.
South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle, who has raised the issue with the First Minister in the Senedd since being elected, wrote to Carwyn Jones to ask him to commit to supporting the idea.
Mr Whittle, who is Plaid’s equalities spokesman, said: “I’m very pleased that these important charities recognise that it is vital that we stop discrimination against disabled people and that it is important that disabled people have a voice at a national level to champion their cause.
“The National Assembly led the way with a Children’s and Older Person’s Commissioners and it is important that the Welsh Government throw their support behind the idea for a Commissioner for the Disabled.
“There was a fantastic Paralympics Games in London in the summer which captured the imagination of the public so this is the perfect opportunity for the Welsh Government to establish a legacy in the form of a champion, a national voice for the disabled.
“I’ve written to the First Minister drawing his attention to the clear support for this idea from charities and organisations which represent disabled people.”
Lindsay Whittle has been championing this cause for sometime.
I cannot understand why there is ANY opposition at all to his proposal?
Would anyone like to propose one?