28/10/05 - Blunkett Announces New Disability Agency.

The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) will be responsible for initiating and co-ordinating work on accessibility issues across central government, but will also link up with bodies such as the Disability Rights Commission and other campaign groups to promote access to services in wider society.

The plan was unveiled by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions David Blunkett during a visit to North America, where he met with Canadian officials who have had a similar agency up and running since 2001. Plans for ODI were originally sketched out earlier this year in 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People', a report from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, and Blunkett's fact-finding trip to Canada is likely to shape the finer detail of ODI's role and responsibilities.

Speaking from Ottawa, Caroline Weber, director general for the Canadian Office for Disability Issues, told E-Access Bulletin that the Canadian agency has four main responsibilities: co-ordinating work across government departments, building capacity in communities, funding, and influencing legislation.

Of these Weber is particularly pleased with the Canadian ODI's record in work in supporting community groups. "Compared with government, out in the community there are more people who can address these issues, there are so many effective NGOs out there," she said.