Disability and Human Rights Conference: People with Disabilities in Ireland, the national organisation representing people with disabilities, yesterday called for a number of amendments to the new Disability Bill before it becomes law.
After a special board meeting in Dublin to consider in detail the implications of the Bill, the organisation's chief executive, Mr Michael Ringrose, had a number of criticisms, particularly that the definition of disability in the Bill was too restrictive, emphasising the medical model over the social model of disability
Under the Bill, control of the assessment, complaints and appeals procedures rests within the health boards, raising questions over their independence, he said. The independent assessment of need is confined to health and education needs with no mention of housing or other needs.