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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMITTEE LAUNCHES ‘REMOVING BARRIERS’ REPORT AT DONALDSON’S

17 June 2008

Donaldson’s School in Linlithgow will host the launch of the Equal Opportunities Committee’s latest report published today. ‘Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities: Review of Progress’ scrutinises the Scottish Government’s implementation of the previous Equal Opportunities Committee’s disability inquiry report.

DETAILS OF THE DAY’S AGENDA

Committee Convener Margaret Mitchell MSP said:

“The report which the previous Equal Opportunities Committee published in 2006 was recognised as ground breaking with its 156 recommendations for improving the lives of disabled people covering areas such as employment, education, training and independent living.

“That is why the current Committee is determined that this report must not be ignored and left gathering dust on a shelf. To ensure this does not happen, the Committee held Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers to account by asking them to give evidence on their progress in implementing key recommendations within their portfolios. Whilst their responses were welcome the Committee realises that if attempts to remove the barriers faced by disabled people are to be successful then it will also require the support of other Parliament committees to ensure progress is maintained.”

“The Committee considers it important to engage with people who will benefit from the recommendations and to whom they mean most. It is very much looking forward to visiting the school in its new Linlithgow location and discussing the report with the pupils and staff at Donaldson’s.

Donaldson’s is Scotland’s national and residential day school based in Linlithgow providing education and care to deaf children and those with severe speech and language impairment, from the ages of two and a half to 19. The school is one of seven Grant-Aided Special Schools (GASS) supported by the Scottish Government and is a charity owned by the Donaldson’s Trust.

Members of the media wishing to attend the launch today should contact Ann Donald on 0131 348 5605. There will be opportunities for photographers at 1.40pm . A BSL version of the Report is available.

Background

The Session 2 Equal Opportunities Committee published its Report titled ‘Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities’ on 28 November 2006.