General News

Disabled people to monitor independence strategy

Campaigners have welcomed government plans for involving disabled people in the implementation of a strategy to improve independent living.

The Independent Living Strategy was launched in March and is aimed at widening access to employment, transport, health and housing.

The government's latest plans were announced following a consultation held by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) on ways to involve disabled people in monitoring the delivery of the strategy.

It will set up an independent living scrutiny group to review the delivery of the strategy; work with its disability advisory committee Equality 2025 to improve communication with disabled people; examine options for developing the leadership skills of disabled people; and work to help disabled people's organisations play a greater role in the third sector.

Lorraine Gradwell, chief executive of the user-led organisation Breakthrough UK, said the ODI was making "real progress".

She added: "The next challenge will be to apply this model to implementing the strategy, and ensuring other statutory bodies adopt the model."Baroness Jane Campbell (pictured), chair of a panel of experts which helped develop the government's response to the consultation, said she was "delighted"that disabled people would have the chance to scrutinise the strategy.

She added: "We have come a long way from the days of being consulted on our views and then left to wonder whether they would be taken on board.

"Now we will be part of the action, working in partnership with the government, to make sure the strategy delivers independent living for disabled people."

Jonathan Shaw, minister for disabled people, said: "I am pleased that so many disabled people and organisations have been involved in putting together a robust approach that will help ensure the strategy does what it sets out to do.

"I look forward to continuing to work with them to make the strategy a success."

Additional Information

Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain
Website: http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/disabled-people-to-monitor-independence-strategy
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
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Source: Sunil Peck
When: 27/2/2009

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