Although there is talk of the robustness of checks and balances in the assisted dying bill to prevent Disabled people being coerced, as a leading organisation for Disabled people in Britain we know from bitter experience that words and laws do not always add up to protecting Disabled people.
This was evident during the pandemic, where we were often denied life-saving care, and where 60 per cent of all deaths from Covid were those of Disabled people, who comprise 24 per cent of the population. We have huge empathy for Disabled people who live with pain and wish to make an informed choice to have control over the end of their lives.
However, given the severe inequalities for Disabled people within society, especially relating to the quality of health and independent living support, we can no longer maintain a neutral stance, and believe that upholding quality of life should be the focus of the government.
Giving us dignified and equitable lives should come before putting in place ways of assisting us to die.
Kamran Mallick
Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK
The Times article can ve accessed via this link - do be aware, it is behind a paywall.