DISABLED councillors are to be protected from discrimination under Government proposals.

A new clause in the draft Disability Discrimination Bill would extend the Disability Discrimination Act to cover discrimination by local authorities against their members. It would also include a duty on local authorities to make reasonable adjustments to the working environment for councillors.

Minister for Disabled People Maria Eagle said: "Full participation by disabled people in public life is long overdue.

"By ensuring proper protection from disability discrimination, we hope to make local authorities more representative of their local communities and to bring more diverse experiences to council decision making.

"We know of cases where councillors have been unable to carry out their official business simply because of colleagues' attitudes or physical barriers."

The measure would force local authorities to provide computers and hearing loops for councillors with a speech defect or hearing impairment. They could also be asked to provide council papers in larger print for those with poor vision or appropriate transport, so members can go on site inspections.