North Wales MS Mark Isherwood, who Chairs the Senedd Cross-Party Groups on Disability, Autism and Deaf issues, has today Chaired and spoken at a Senedd event celebrating International Day of Disabled People.
At the event, which was held in partnership with Disability Wales, Mr Isherwood emphasised the need for everyone to work together to remove barriers to access and inclusion for all.
He also spoke of ambitions to get more disabled people into politics.
International Day of Disabled People, promotes the rights and well-being of Disabled People, and this year’s theme is to “Amplify the leadership of disabled people for an inclusive and sustainable future”.
Speaking at the event, Mr Isherwood, who is also the Senedd’s Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Champion, said:
“A core principle of representative democracy is that all sections of the public have equal rights and opportunities to participate in political decision-making, both as citizens and as representatives.
“As many of you will be aware, the Access to Politics Grassroots Network was launched in the Senedd this lunchtime, a project run by Disability Wales and funded by the Welsh Government.
“Its purpose is to get more disabled people into political office in both the Senedd and Local Government.
“Although over 20% of people living in Wales have a health condition or impairment, this is not represented in National or Local Government.
“In the UK Parliament, a total of 8 MPs, or 1.2%, declared having a disability in the 2019-2024 Parliament, with the number increasing to 12 MPs, just under 2%, after the 2024 General Election. We have no equivalent data for the Senedd.”
Mr Isherwood went on to speak about the Welsh Government’s Framework and Action plan, “Action on Disability: The Right to Independent Living”, which states that the Social Model of Disability “makes an important distinction between ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’.
He said:
“It recognises that people with impairments are disabled by barriers thatcommonly exist in society. These barriers include negative attitudes, and physical and organisational barriers, which can prevent disabled people’s inclusion and participation in all walks of life. It requires us to work together to remove barriers to access and inclusion for all.”
Mr Isherwood also referred to his British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill, which is now proceeding through the Senedd Bill process and is currently open to Public Consultation.
He said:
“Its purpose is to make provision to promote and facilitate the use of BSL and its tactile forms in Wales; improve access to education, health and public services in BSL and support the removal of barriers that exist for deaf people and their families in education, health, public services, support services and in the workplace.
“Although this has received overwhelming public support, the Welsh Government stated they did not see a need for it.”
Mr Isherwood spoke about his own impairment as someone with Hearing Loss, and praised the Welsh Parliament for always providing him with the equipment he needs to follow proceedings and responding positively when barriers to disability access have been highlighted, although he stressed “it needs to involve Disabled Members and Staff before decisions are taken”.
He added:
“I hear almost daily from disabled people, communities and carers who are having to fight for the support and services they need, and are entitled to, to enable them to lead an independent life.
“Despite the existing rights that do exist, we must go further, turning legislation and codes into action, to give Disabled people real voice, choice, control and independence.”