Welsh Government
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Disability plan for independent living in Wales revealed
The framework for action on independent living outlines the steps the Welsh Government will take to make sure disabled people have the same access to services and opportunities as the rest of society.
It is the first time there has been a strategic approach to disability in Wales bringing together issues that have previously been dealt with separately within government. It has been created after extensive engagement with disabled people and disability organisations.
The framework sets out a positive vision for disabled people against the backdrop of a struggling economy combined with welfare reform and public spending cuts.
Measures in the plan include:
- Increasing the number of disabled people that are able to use the internet.
- Strengthening the tenancy rights of people with learning disabilities.
- Working with the NHS, councils and the third sector so that as much service, care and support is provided at or as close to home as possible.
- A greater voice for disability groups at a strategic level through the establishment of independent user and carer panels.
- Improving access to public transport, including promoting higher standards of driver training and access to vehicles.
- Developing a Charter for Disabled Public Transport Passengers so that disabled passengers can identify bus and train operators that are committed to disability access.
- Continuing the concessionary bus travel scheme for disabled people which offers more generous support than similar schemes across the rest of the UK.
- Taking action to improve additional learning needs assessment and provision, improve accessibility of school buildings and develop learning pathways for disabled children and young people;
- Improving the delivery times and quality of complex equipment provided to disabled people.
Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert said:
“We want to create an environment where disabled people have access to the same opportunities as everybody else, and only through all parts of society – from the public, private and third sectors - working together will be able to achieve this.
“We have worked closely with disabled people and disability organisations and listened to their needs to create this plan so that it reflects our shared vision for disabled people living in Wales. We are committed to taking action to bring down barriers and restrictions that prevent people achieving what they want and living how they wish.”
Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas said:
“While some disabled people are reliant on specific support, many others just want to be able to participate in life in the same way as everyone else. Where support is needed, it should promote independent living and ensure the people using it have a voice and control in how services are provided. That is a guiding principle of our programme of reform of social services in Wales.”
Disability Wales Chief Executive, Rhian Davies, said:
"Disability Wales warmly welcomes publication of the Welsh Government's Framework for Action on Independent Living. This is a landmark event on the long journey towards making social inclusion, equality of opportunity and independent living a reality for disabled people in Wales.
“We have worked closely with Welsh Government, WLGA, national disability charities, disabled people's organisations and many others to ensure that the Framework presents an inspiring shared vision and sets some achievable goals aimed at transforming Wales into an enabling society. We look forward to continuing this co-productive approach to developing and implementing policy as we update and further develop the Framework in the years ahead."
