4.—(1) The Commission shall have the following duties—
(a)to work towards the elimination of discrimination against disabled persons;
(b)to promote the equalisation of opportunities for disabled persons;
(c)to take such steps as it considers appropriate with a view to encouraging good practice in the treatment of disabled persons; and
(d)to keep under review the working of the 1995 Act and this Part.
(2) The Commission may, for any purpose connected with the performance of its functions under this Part—
(a)make proposals or give other advice to any government department as to any aspect of the law or a proposed change to the law;
(b)make proposals or give other advice to any public authority as to the practical application of any law;
(c)undertake, or arrange for or support (whether financially or otherwise), the carrying out of research or the provision of advice or information.
Nothing in this paragraph is to be regarded as limiting the Commission’s powers.
(3) The Commission shall make proposals or give other advice under paragraph (2)(a) on any matter specified in a request from a government department.
(4) The Commission may make charges for facilities or services made available by it for the purposes of its functions under this Part.
(5) In this Article—
“disabled persons” includes persons who have had a disability;
“discrimination” means anything which is discrimination for the purposes of any provision of Part II or Part III of the 1995 Act;
“the law” includes Community law and the international obligations of the United Kingdom; and
“public authority” has the same meaning as in section 75 of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998.