Member

The UN human rights expert report on disabilities says that there can be barriers in terms of communication and accessibility for disabled people, and that a failure to adapt procedures to deal with those issues can lead to a form of de facto discrimination. That point has also been highlighted, in relation to similar legislation, by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, which has talked about the need for accessible communication and decision-making support to ensure that any request is genuine, and said that paper-based procedures can disadvantage people with cognitive, sensory or communication impairments, unless they are adapted. Amendment 496C seeks a level of reassurance and adaptation. Giving the applicant that opportunity would preserve the idea of autonomy.