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The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has a crucial role to play in helping government deliver on the promises made in the 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People' report. This report set out the government's key aims for improving equality for disabled people.
Much of the ODI's work takes place `behind the scenes' as it advises government departments and supports them to better meet the needs of disabled people. An example of this is publishing guidance and hosting conferences for civil servants to help them understand their new responsibilities under the Disability Equality Duty.
But, as this report to the Prime Minister makes clear, the ODI is also involved in more high profile work. It leads the Independent Living Review which publishes its conclusions shortly - and is both adding value to existing work and breaking new ground.
All this activity is making a difference and bringing us closer to our goal of equality for disabled people. We are publishing with this report a summary of the action taken across government on the sixty recommendations in the Life Chances report. This demonstrates how far we have come.
Of course, massive challenges still lie ahead. We need to bridge the gap between disabled people's aspirations and their everyday experiences. In a very real sense, we need to change the relationship between disabled people and the state.
To achieve these things, we need an effective and credible champion within government. In the ODI, I believe we now have that champion.
Page last reviewed: 11 August 2008