The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched a white paper called 'Shaping the Future of Britain' and with it looks forward to creating a new programme on the issue of the rights of disabled people. It wants to further increase the impetus the equality movement has gained over the last ten years.

With the white paper, the DRC is hoping to trigger what it calls the 'biggest and most-wide ranging debate ever on disability in Britain'.

DRC chairman Bert Massie said: "While massive progress has been made since the Disability Discrimination Act first came onto the statute book in 1995, there is still a long way to go to reaching this goal,”

The campaign will ask stakeholders, policymakers, average citizens and more to help it identify the top priorities for a new and focused disability agenda for the next 10 to 15 years. People can join the debate by visiting:

• www.drc.gov.uk/disabilitydebate

The DRC plans to consult the public on many issues including how:

• society can ensure disabled people are safe in their communities and in control of their own lives
• disabled people can get the skills to take on active roles in society
• the government can modify the welfare state so that it supports independence

In launching the debate Bert Massie said: "Being an equal citizen means sharing responsibilities as well as having rights. But if you live in a society where you are not valued, where prejudice circumscribes in advance what you can offer and even throws up barriers to your inclusion, your worth as a member of society diminishes as does your opportunity to make a valued contribution."