Why might Bert Massie be being deliberately provocative right now?
The DRC is a relative minnow in the equality body scene, having only been in existence since 2000. In 2007 or 2008, the DRC will cease to be and disability will become part of an umbrella body looking after the interests of all minority groups. The combined organisation is to be called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR). Launching the disability debate last week, Bert Massie gave some indication of the way in which the DRC might seek to influence the agenda to keep disability rights high on the list of priorities after 2008, when the DRC will cease to exist and the CEHR takes over He said: “Post-DRC, we want to ensure the CEHR pushes forward the frontier of disability rights and continues the momentum towards a society in which disabled people can participate as equal citizens. “That is why we are now launching The Disability Debate. We want to identify and articulate the big priorities for a new disability agenda in a manner which provides a roadmap for both CEHR and
