Mike Hedges MS 1. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiogelu hawliau dynol pobl anabl? OQ56381 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect the human rights of disabled people? OQ56381

 MIKE HEDGES QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT MINISTER ON WHAT WELSH GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 

Speaking from his Morriston Office, Local MS, Mike Hedges said….. ‘ I acknowledge that the Welsh government does a lot for disabled people but there is much to be done when it comes to supporting people who have hidden disabilities where they often face barriers which people with visibible disabilities would not face. 

People often make assumptions about disabilities and expect to see certain things; a lot of disabilities are invisible and people with such conditions face discrimination and worse as they go through their daily lives. An example of this would be the need for people with Colosotomy and Stomas to use diabled toilets and changing facilities. There is no outward sign they have any issues but they face significant problems if they have to use traditional toilet cublicles for their needs. I have met several people with these conditions who have been abused for using disabled toilets. 

The Welsh Government needs to engage in education programs so that the general public are more aware of the issues of hidden disabilities amd need to make sure that discrimination for hidden disabilities is tackled so that our fellow citezens can enjoy the same lives we have. 

Mike Hedges MS 

1. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiogelu hawliau dynol pobl anabl? OQ56381

1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect the human rights of disabled people? OQ56381

Jane Hutt 

Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

Thank you very much for that question, Mike Hedges. The Welsh Government is committed to leading the way in eliminating discrimination towards disabled people. Our disability equality forum has led the way in highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people during the pandemic.82

 

Mike Hedges MS

 

I thank the Minister for that response. People with a disability, especially those with hidden disabilities like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myalgic encephalomyelitis and deafness, often feel overlooked. What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that more support can be given to people who have these types of disabilities to ensure they are not disadvantaged?83

 

Jane Hutt MS

I recognise the significant challenges, as the Member said, that people living with conditions like MS, ME, arthritis and deafness face. And, also, the additional impact, of course, that COVID has had on carers, friends and families. I know the Member recognises the social model of disability, which the Welsh Government is committed to using, and it makes that important distinction between impairment and disability, recognising that people with impairments are disabled by barriers that commonly exist in society. And we also recognise that not all impairments, as you say, Mike Hedges, are visible, and that hidden impairments must be given the same weighting. And the social model does support those with a hidden disability.84

I think it's important to recognise that, in our disability equality forum, we do have a broad membership, including the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, the Wales Council for Deaf People, the MS Society, as well as many other disabled organisations. And we've just employed a network of six disabled people as employment champions, who are going to be working with employers and recognising these hidden impairments, in terms of the barriers and the opportunities we have to overcome them.