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02/07/2004
NI Severe Learning Disability Bill introduced in Commons
The Ulster Unionist Party's Health Spokesman, Rev Martin Smyth has introduced the Northern Ireland Severe Learning Disability Bill to the House of Commons.
The Bill, which had cross party support in the House, will make provision for the identification and protection of, and assistance for persons with, severe learning disabilities in Northern Ireland.
The South Belfast MP, who introduced the Bill under a 10 Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons this week, said: "A learning disability is a lifelong condition acquired before, during or shortly after birth, and can affect someone's life in many ways, causing difficulties in learning, communicating or doing everyday things.
"I am introducing the Bill because the needs of people with severe learning disability, their parents and carers are so pressing. Section 1 of the Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 provides for the recognition of individual advocacy agreed with the disabled person, but that, too, has never been implemented. I am bringing this Bill before the House because it is important that those people are looked after."
Two percent of the population - or 33,000 people in Northern Ireland - have a learning disability. Just over 16,000 of these are in contact with health and social services.
(MB)
The Bill, which had cross party support in the House, will make provision for the identification and protection of, and assistance for persons with, severe learning disabilities in Northern Ireland.
The South Belfast MP, who introduced the Bill under a 10 Minute Rule Motion in the House of Commons this week, said: "A learning disability is a lifelong condition acquired before, during or shortly after birth, and can affect someone's life in many ways, causing difficulties in learning, communicating or doing everyday things.
"I am introducing the Bill because the needs of people with severe learning disability, their parents and carers are so pressing. Section 1 of the Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 provides for the recognition of individual advocacy agreed with the disabled person, but that, too, has never been implemented. I am bringing this Bill before the House because it is important that those people are looked after."
Two percent of the population - or 33,000 people in Northern Ireland - have a learning disability. Just over 16,000 of these are in contact with health and social services.
(MB)
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