To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to implement its public sector duty in respect of disability policy; and what steps are taken to include (a) disabled people and (b) their representative organisations in this process. (84303)

DFID has started its preparations for the implementation of the Disability Equality Duty, which comes into effect on 1 December 2006. We are currently developing a DFID-specific equalities screening tool, and an equalities impact assessment tool, to allow for the effective identification and assessment of policies and functions relevant to the Disability Equality Duty.

We will shortly be mapping out our Disability Equality Scheme and preparing our Disability Action Plan. At this stage we will involve disabled people’s organisations as well as development organisations with a disability focus—both in the UK and in our partner countries.

DFID is already taking a number of steps to address disability issues in its approach to development. For example, DFID commissioned a Disability Knowledge and Research programme, and we have since been adopting a twin track approach to disability research. This involves mainstreaming disability into existing research initiatives and working directly towards the establishment of an emancipatory model of research with an umbrella Disabled Peoples’ Organisation in Southern Africa.

DFID is also consulting disabled people’s organisations, and development organisations with a disability remit, about the development of a good practice note for its staff on Inclusive Development. This will have a strong focus on the involvement of disabled people and their representatives in partner countries to ensure that disability issues are taken into account across DFID’s programmes.