News release
21 April 2012
We at Disability Rights UK are very sad to learn that Lord Ashley has passed away.
Liz Sayce OBE, Chief Executive, said:
“Lord Ashley has been a formidable campaigner for disabled people and disability rights. As a deaf parliamentarian he transformed politics and placed disabled people’s right to choice and control at the very heart of the political debate. It is his spirit that we aim to bear out through our work. We wish to express our deepest condolences to his family and close friends.”
Editor’s Notes
- Lord Ashley was President of the All-Party Parliamentary Disability Group, which is serviced by Disability Rights UK.
- At the parliamentary reception of our MPs Disability Dialogue in October 2011 he sent us a message to highlight the importance of increasing contact between disabled people and their MPs.
- In 2006, and again in 2009, Lord Ashley introduced the Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill to give disabled people the right to choice and control of their lives. The Bill was supported by Radar [onee of our legacy organisasations].
- Disability Rights UK has arrived - the merger of The Royal Association for Disability Rights (Radar), National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) and Disability Alliance took place on 1 January 2012. Our vision is a society where all disabled people can participate equally as full citizens. We are the largest UK pan-disability organisation led by disabled people.
More information
- jack ashley memorial site - In memory of Disability Rights UK friend Jack Ashley's sad passing we would like to let you know that his family have created a website to celebrate his life.
- A celebration of the work of the All Party Parliamentary Disability Group and its Chair Rt Hon Lord Ashley of Stoke CH - This is a link to a booklet that celebrates the work of APPDG and Lord Ashley, published at the 40th anniversary of the APPDG
- appdg expresses sadness at death of lord ashley
- obituary for lord ashley