Disability plan for independent living launched

Plans aimed at removing the barriers facing disabled people in Wales have been unveiled by the Welsh Government.

The framework for action on independent living outlines the steps the Welsh Labour 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.