CSIE has responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Consultation on the draft statutory guidance issued with regard to the Down Syndrome Act 2022.

In its response,  CSIE welcomed the inclusion in the proposed guidance of the rights of people with other genetic conditions or learning difficulties.  We also suggested that the guidance can be improved by modelling more respectful language, to better reflect the social model of disability and align itself with international human rights instruments.  Other recommendations included strengthening references to Person-Centred Planning and to existing duties under the Equality Act 2010, especially the anticipatory duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Even though these developments bring no new legislative duties, we hope that the publication of statutory guidance and the accompanying Annex of Resources will help focus attention on disabled people’s rights, and lead to more equitable provision of services.  In the field of education, we sincerely hope that these developments will help to reduce existing barriers to disabled children’s learning and participation in their local school.