Disability pioneer Morris dies at 84
The campaigner who almost single-handedly made it a duty of local authorities to assist disabled people with a range of free services has died aged 84.
Lord Morris of Manchester (Alf Morris) was a Labour MP under prime minister Harold Wilson when in 1970, in the run-up to the general election, he was able to push through the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act.
This act, for the first time, imposed a duty on local authorities to assist disabled people, whereas previous legislation had simply given them the power to assist.
Among other provisions, the act made it the duty of local authorities to give practical assistance in the home; help obtaining radio, TV, library or other recreational services; and access to specially adapted equipment, including telephones.
In 1974 Morris became the UK’s first minister for disabled people introducing, among other rights and benefits, the mobility allowance to people with disabilities and to their carers.
It was while minister for disabled people that he also changed the law affecting armed forces’ pensions. This was a personal crusade for him because his mother had been denied a war widow’s pension when his father died some years after being gassed in the first world war.
In 1991 he introduced a Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill which never made it on to the statute book because the Conservative government at the time argued it was too costly. His campaigning work, however, saw fruition with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. He also led campaigns on Gulf War Syndrome and was president of the Haemophilia Society.
Alf Morris served as MP for Manchester Wythenshawe from 1964 until 1997, when he was created a life peer. He died in hospital on Sunday after a short illness. He is survived by wife Irene, two sons and two daughters.
Morris’ death comes only months after that of Lord Ashley of Stoke (Jack Ashley), whose campaigning as an MP also did much to change attitudes to disability. Both men left school at 14 and knew personal hardship of a kind very few of today’s parliamentarians have experienced. It gave them a moral authority that will be badly missed.
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A tribute to The Rt. Hon. The Lord Morris of Manchester AO QSO
From The Disability Times Trust (also known as The Citizens Trust)
2 Craven Road, Ealing, London W5 2UA
Lord Morris has been the active Chairman of this Charity since 1997 and will be sorely missed, not only by our Chief Executive, Mrs.TK Moore MBE, but also the Trustee Directors and all the staff. He was a charismatic and caring man with a strong sense of right and wrong, and a love of people. He had a gentle, but persuasive manner, and his help and that of his wife Lady Irene Morris, in the founding of this very successful Charity, was invaluable. His passion was to fight for fairness and indeed the rights of disabled and disadvantage groups. His Chronically Sick and Disabled persons Act 1970 was the forerunner of the Disability Discrimination Act, which he finally guided through both Houses in 1997. It was the privilege of this organisation, through its ‘Disability Times Newspaper’ (a voice of conscience for a caring nation) to play a significant part in supporting the powerful lobby assembled by Lord Morris and his fellow friends and politicians. He was a delightful person and a distinguished politician, greatly respected and highly regarded by Members of both Houses, regardless of political persuasion.
Mrs. TK Moore MBE
Thank you, but never knew it was you that helped me.
Don't know his name, nor knew what he did. , but just read about him now. His work changed my life. To his family his a hubby or father, to me he was no one until I read this. Now his a god call Alf and I will tell other of his deeds.
Thank you Alf you made my life a lot better than, what it would have been with out your work. I am Amazed what others do for other. As of today I will never for get "Alf"
To his family best regards. I know these comments may not seem right, give your loss. But I don't think my word can make your life any worse, give that you have lost your Husband and Dad.
He did not seem to wast his life like some of us....... The name Alf as a new meaning
Thanks Alf you did good on this side
Lez