Do we need a Disability Ombudsman?
Click here to vote now.
The Swedish approach to disability is often held up as a model. Tax and welfare policies in Sweden reflect core philosophies.
In Sweden:
- Financial security and social rights belong to everyone, without application procedures or means testing
- Handicap is not a characteristic of a person, it is a situation that arises when a person with functional impairment meets an inaccessible environment
- Organizers of all activities, public and private, must make them accessible
- Local authorities have the freedom to decide policies and levy appropriate taxes
As well as state provision, there are many private medical and social initiatives for the disabled including charities and self-help groups. To help contact between individuals, groups and local authorities Sweden has a special disability
advocate, created by the Swedish Disability Ombudsman Act, the Disability Ombudsman.
The Swedish Disability Ombudsman Act
The office of Disability Ombudsman was created by law in 1994. The Disability Ombudsman monitors all issues relating to the rights of the disabled. The Disability Ombudsman acts as a disability advocate at local and national level:
- Local authorities cannot refuse to supply information that the Disability Ombudsman requests
- Local authorities cannot refuse to negotiate with the Disability Ombudsman
- At national level, the Disability Ombudsman looks at what is needed to conform with UN standard rules
- The Disability Ombudsman can seek to put right shortcomings in legislation and can lobby government for amendments
- The Disability Ombudsman also provides legal counselling and monitors compliance with the law
Tell us what you think! Henrietta's Dream on-Line poll:
The disabled and their families in the United Kingdom need a Disability Ombudsman to enforce, monitor and amend legislation for the disabled
Click here to view the vote so far.
