We must ensure the voices of those with disabilities are heard, their rights upheld and that they have equal opportunities: UK National Statement at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

We must ensure the voices of those with disabilities are heard, their rights upheld and that they have equal opportunities: UK National Statement at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Statement by Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities General Debate. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of its adoption, the UK Government remains strongly committed to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we continue to make progress towards implementation. At international level, as co-chair, the UK hosted the Annual General Meeting recently of the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network in Edinburgh, alongside the International Disability Alliance. With over 100 attendees, member states, multilaterals, foundations, Disabled People’s Organisations, the event enabled partners to coordinate their strategies to advance disability rights and inclusion globally. At home, we continue to work closely with disabled people and their representative organisations, putting their views and voices at the heart of all that we do. Our new Independent Disability Advisory Panel is connecting the expertise of deaf and disabled people, and those with long-term health conditions, into the design and delivery of health and disability policy. I am co-producing the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and others. We are continuing to work closely with the British Sign Language Advisory Board in implementing the British Sign Language (BSL) Act 2022, which includes departmental reporting to improve accessibility. Our forthcoming cross-government Plan for Disability will be a key step. It will set out a vision for what our government aims to achieve for disabled people in the longer term, and a summary of initial steps that will be taken towards achieving it. It will also set out priority next steps for the government to remove the barriers which confront disabled people and need to be removed. This work is being supported by our Lead Ministers for Disability, one Minister representing the interests of disabled people and championing disability inclusion and accessibility in each government department. We want to ensure positive progress on policy affecting disabled people right across government. To make sure that this support is grounded in the principles of the Convention, we have produced an online training package for government officials which supports consideration of the treaty and the convention in their work.