ABSTRACT
Disability has only recently found a place in the discourse on equal opportunity. In terms of a social compact between the state, the higher education institutions (HEIs) and their students, disabled people are in many ways still a very marginal and marginalised group. Disabled people experience marginalisation and oppression comparable to that experienced by women and ethnic minorities but have further to go in their campaign to have this recognised and redressed. Opening a consultative conference on this report Margaret Hodge, Minister for Disabled People, emphasised that 'social inclusion and equality are central to the agenda of New Labour'. She acknowledged the difficulties of turning rhetoric into reality but emphasised the need for government to put resources into appropriate areas to tackle entrenched prejudices in society and seek other levers to achieve cultural change. The Disability Rights Task Force advises the government on the action necessary to promote comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people.
