We support the establishment of regional offices as an approach which has been demonstrated to be a more effective means to enforcement, promotion and advice across the country. For too long this large population of disabled people has been excluded from such bodies, The Disability Right Task Force and other key groups. We urge the government to give this serious consideration. The ideal is one Commissioner but this is impracticable. The importance of gaining and sharing experience and expertise cannot be over-estimated.
Credibility is key.
That said, requiring the Secretary of State to secure that a majority of Commissioners are disabled is an unnecessary fetter and could be seen as a sop to inappropriate political correctness. The aim must be to harness experience and expertise and the guidance principle for selection should be the best person for the job in all the relevant circumstances of which personal experience of discrimination may well be one, as will certainly be an understanding of the nature of the disability. Relationship with the Government 5.10 Agreed in all respects. The National Autistic Society 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, United Kingdom.