Letter: Gaps in the party manifestos

Sir: The letter "Disabled voters are waiting" (4 April) prompts me to note that we now have the manifestos from the three largest British political parties, and there is not a great deal in any of them about people with disabilities, and very little indeed about people with learning disabilities.

What we need over the next few weeks from party candidates is a firm statement about the inclusion of people with disabilities within education, housing, training and employment. After that the Government must include a disability statement within each of its major social programmes. Too often and for too long, the policy proposals have appeared and the impact on people with disabilities has been an afterthought. The Government and Parliament must get this right, at least.

Lord RIX

Chairman

Mencap

London EC1