The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is investigating whether public bodies and public transport providers are fulfilling their legal obligations to prevent disabled people from being harassed.  Councils, police forces, schools and other public bodies as well as bus, train companies and other public transport providers found to be failing in their duties could face enforcement action. Disability-related harassment includes name-calling, intimidation, bullying or violence. The Inquiry is examining how victims of disability-related harassment have been supported and what prevention measures have been put in place.

Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People, “I fully support and welcome the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry on disability harassment. Bullying and harassment can all too often escalate into serious hate crimes against disabled people that we have all heard about. Harassment in any form is totally unacceptable.   Everyone in society has the right to live life in safety and with security. For disabled people and for those people with long term health conditions, safety and security is a right that can’t be taken for granted. This is why I would strongly urge disabled people and disabled people’s organisations to become involved: to help inform the inquiry about the types of harassment experienced by disabled people and, to share their examples of positive work being done to tackle disability hate crime.”