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ECHR prevarication again


I’ve had this in response to my last communication:

“Dear Mr Cox
 
Thank you for your letter dated 23 January received by us on 30 January. I am sorry that you did not receive a response to the web enquiry you made on 11 November to the Helpline section on the Commission’s website.
 
The Helpline section is the appropriate place to direct your enquiries. This should enable you to talk directly to a Helpline adviser. The number is 08457 622 633. The number I gave you in my letter dated 10 January was incorrect. If you have difficulty in getting through then their address is EHRC Disability Helpline, Freepost, MIDO2164, Stratford on Avon, CV37 9BR.
 
Finally, I should add that the EHRC does have the power to take proceedings in respect of breaches of the general and specific equality duties and will exercise that power when it thinks fit to do so.
 
Best wishes,
 
 
Keith Ashcroft - Legal Officer
 
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Fourth Floor Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester M4 3AQ
Tel 0161 829 8408
Fax 01925 884 000

So still no answer from EHCR to what, in the light of current media attention, is my main question:

“I am of the opinion that the use of eligibility criteria for the provision of services may also be a breach of the Disability Equality Duty. Can you also please advise on this.”

The prevarication on the part of EHCR is puzzling unless the conclusion is reached that this new body is pussyfooting in league with the government and in conflict with its supposed independent status. Their own website has the advice for public authorities that:

It is unlawful for a public authority exercising a function of a public nature to perform any act which constitutes discrimination. This applies to all the legal grounds for discrimination.

Any local authority, hospital trust or PCT using eligibility criteria MUST be discriminating against those service users disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Acts who are denied services by those criteria.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Glad I popped over to your blog.

I need to be clear about Disability Equality ..particularly as I am asking for reasonable adjustments to be made by the local MH Trust in order for me to get the service/s that are of use to me.

I might copy and paste some of the 'equality' stuff you have up on here so I can refer back to it.

You never know if and when it might come in useful.
19 February 2008 at 00:03
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