Page 10 - SEN116 January-February 2022

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Down Syndrome Bill passes first hurdle to becoming Law
The Down Syndrome Bill will lead to the establishment of a National Strategy to improve provision and outcomes for all those living with Down syndrome in the UK. The Autism Act which became law in 2009 preceded the establishment of the National Strategy to help meet the needs of adults with autistic spectrum conditions in England.
The Down Syndrome Act will go further, identifying needs in all areas, for all individuals with Down syndrome across the whole of the UK.
If approved by both the Houses of Commons and Lords, the Down Syndrome Act could soon become law.
About the Bill, Dr Liam Fox MP said: “I am thrilled to bring forward a Bill to deal with the issues faced by those with Down syndrome. The full title is ‘A Bill to make provision about meeting the needs of persons with Down syndrome; to place a duty on local authorities to assess the likely social care needs of persons with Down syndrome and plan provision accordingly; and for connected purposes’.”
“My aim is to deal with three main areas. The first is to de- stigmatise Down syndrome and to re-educate both the public and professionals about the advances, including in life expectancy, that have occurred in recent decades. The second is to ensure that current provision of services is improved, whether provided by health, education or local services, by ensuring that providers give due consideration to those with Down syndrome when designing service provision. The third is to look ahead and deal with future issues, such as long-term care, in an era where, for the first time, many of those with Down syndrome will outlive their parents. By giving due thought to the issues today we can prevent avoidable human tragedies in the future.”
The legislation has government support and is therefore likely to become law.
During the Commons debate, Conservative MP Sir Charles Walker said the services on offer were “fragmented” adding that it could be “exhausting to navigate these specialist services”.
Labour’s Meg Hillier said the bill was “just the beginning”, with “a lot of heavy lifting” left to do and she urged the government to set targets on improving outcomes.
DUP MP Ian Paisley described the proposed legislation as “world-leading” and said it would make people with Down’s syndrome “equal under the law”.
The government said it would support Dr Fox’s bill with health minister Gillian Keegan arguing it would help people “stay well, receive the right education and secure appropriate living arrangements”.
Actor and Trustee for the National Down Syndrome Policy Group (NDSPG) George Webster said: “A Down Syndrome Act. Why
didn’t we think of this before?! We are all very excited that Dr Liam Fox is sponsoring a Bill with the aim of improving the lives of people living with Down syndrome. I would like to see the Bill becoming law, then I think everyone like me with Down Syndrome will get better healthcare, more access to services and be more included in society. It is possible. It happens for some now, but it shouldn’t be a lottery.”
Peter Brackett, Chair of the NDSPG said: “For too long the voice of the Down syndrome community has not been heard. We are delighted that the Down Syndrome Bill will enable engagement to secure and safeguard the rights and ambitions of the community across all aspects of society. Having lobbied hard for this opportunity, our group will be fully behind Dr Liam Fox and the Down Syndrome Bill on its journey through Parliament, in line with our aim of raising the profile of issues affecting people with Down syndrome, their families and carers.”
Recommendations to
reform hate crime laws
On the 7th December, the Law Commission published a report with recommendations to reform hate crime laws. These recommendations would include disabled people receiving the same protection as those targeted because of their race and religion.
The report states:
“We also recommend that the range of aggravated offences that can be charged in relation to a crime against a disabled person include offences that are particularly prevalent. In particular, property and fraud offences and the criminalisation of coercive behaviour or exploitation involving a person who has a learning disability and/or autism. This may enable a better response to the specific issue of so-called ‘mate crime’, which is one of the most prevalent and sinister modes in which people who have a learning disability and autism are targeted for crime and abuse.”
Dr Mark Brookes MBE, Advocacy Lead at Dimensions UK, said: “We welcome this first important step towards parity of hate crime against people with disabilities and those on the grounds of race or religion but there’s still important work to be done in recognising and measuring learning disability hate crime separately from other hate crimes.”
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