'Disabled must enjoy same rights as rest of us': Marshall

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Dec 2002

The Alliance Party will ensure that the rights of the disabled form a central part of its election manifesto, Equality Spokesperson Margaret Marshall said today, the European Day of Disabled People.

Accepting a submission from Disability Action this morning, Mrs Marshall said political parties had a duty to ensure that equal rights truly meant equal rights for all.

Mrs Marshall stated: "Disabled people are entitled to be treated with the same dignity and respect we would expect to receive ourselves. While there have been positive changes in the attitude of society towards disabled people in recent years, there is still a long way to go before we can say they enjoy the same rights as the rest of us.

"Alliance is committed to a just and fair society, where everyone is valued as a human being, and we will be considering Disability Action's manifesto proposals on the human rights of people with disabilities very carefully."