HAVING in the past faced criticism over failing the disabled, and having an instinctive bias against workplace regulation, the government responds today with the most radical law in Europe to give new employment rights to people with disabilities.

At the outset, it may be that firms, unprepared for the effects, are hit by a flood of actions by this newly-empowered section of the workplace.

But, whatever the initial difficulties and costs, a new enlightened approach is needed - not just because there are 6.5million disabled people in the country, but because they deserve the fullest opportunity to use their talents.

In the end, then, this new law may prove to be to the benefit of not just the disabled, but to business and the country as a whole as the under-used potential of millions of previously under-valued workers emerges.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.