Plans to transform the lives of disabled people are announced

From the [UK] Guardian:

The British Office for Disability Issues has released its plans for giving people with disabilities more choice and control over the support they need and greater access to employment, transportation, health and housing opportunities.

Said Prime Minister Gordon Brown, “We are committed to a vision of equality for all disabled people by 2025. A vision for Britain where all citizens are respected and included as equal members, and where everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”

Called the Independent Living Strategy, the document brings together initiatives on employment, housing and social care to remove barriers and improve access to services.

According to the strategy, “independent living” means not necessarily doing things for oneself, but having choice over support and equipment, and equal access to public services and opportunities.

James Purnell, the secretary of state for work and pensions, said, “Disabled people should have the same choice and control over how they live their lives as everyone else.”

Related stories:

By Mary O’Hara in the [UK] Guardian: Route to equality

The plan has been broadly welcomed. It outlines the concerns of disabled people and identifies steps the government has pledged to take to address problems across a range of issues, from health and social care to transport, housing and employment.

While it includes general commitments, such as building awareness of the importance of independent living among the wider public and social care professionals, the strategy also incorporates detailed proposals.

Among those most welcomed is a move away from professional assessment towards user-led support and advocacy, and separate initiatives concentrating on the diverse needs of both older and younger disabled people — such as the Transition Support Program for young disabled children.

Also by Mary O’Hara: A noble vision; comments by disability advocates about the Independent Living Strategy.

An interview in the [UK] Times with Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, who says her top priority is changing the attitude of the public toward people with disabilities.

From the [UK] Times: Give disabled people a sporting chance. A list of common stereotypes about disability and why they should be avoided.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pm and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, accessibility, disabilities, employment/jobs, health care, housing, independent living, public attitudes, transition, transportation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post