Independent Living Strategy

In July 2006, the Independent Living Review was set up to develop a five-year strategy for independent living. 

The aim of the strategy is that:

• disabled people (including older disabled people) who need support to go about their daily lives will have greater choice and control over how support is provided
• disabled people (including older disabled people) will have greater access to housing, education, employment, leisure and transport opportunities and to participation in family and community life.

The strategy sets out a five-year plan that seeks to realise the Government's aim that all disabled people (including older disabled people) should be able to live autonomous lives, and to have the same choice, freedom, dignity and control over their lives as non-disabled people.

The strategy contributes towards the Government's work to ratify the United Nations Convention on Disability Rights. Read more on the UN Convention on Disability Rights.

It takes a life course approach, from young people in transition to adulthood and including older people.

The expert panel played a critical role in ensuring that the progress and outcomes of the review were shaped by independent living experts.

Summary report:

• Independent Living Strategy summary PDF (1.03 MB, 26 pages)
• Independent Living Strategy summary RTF (151 KB, 26 pages)

Full report:

• Independent Living Strategy PDF (2MB, 135 pages)
• Independent Living Strategy RTF (617KB, 135 pages)
• Independent Living Strategy Easy Read (4.18 MB, 71 pages)

MP3 & audio:

• Forward by Prime Minister (MP3, 715KB, 2.26 minutes)
• Forward by Life Chances Ministers (MP3, 869KB, 2.57 minutes)
• Independent Living Strategy, Summary Part 1, (MP3, 2.9MB, 10.24 minutes)
• Independent Living Strategy, Summary Part 2, (MP3, 3MB, 10.29 minutes)
• Independent Living Strategy, Summary Part 3, (MP3, 3.5MB, 11.43 minutes)
• If require the full report in audio, please email: Independent-living-review@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

Consultation: Independent Living Strategy

We are consulting on how to involve disabled people in the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy. Two possibilities are:

• Setting up an Independent Living Scrutiny Group, to monitor – at a national level – annual progress on the Strategy
• Supporting networks of disabled people to be involved at regional and local levels in implementation and monitoring of the Strategy. 

We are seeking views on these proposals and welcome other ideas for disabled people’s involvement.

Further details can be found in Chapter 4 and Annex D of the Strategy or in the consultation toolkit and support material below.

Consultation toolkit PDF (267 KB, 13 pages)

Support material PDF (147 KB, 14 pages)

The consultation events

We are planning two large consultation events, one in York on 12 May and one in London on 4 June. If you would like to attend one, or both of these events please register your interest here http://livegroup.co.uk/independentliving/.

We will be supporting a number of smaller, more targeted consultation events. We have provided a consultation toolkit and support material (see above). We would like to hear from you if you are interested in this opportunity.

How to respond to this consultation

Respond by: 20 June 2008.
You can respond by post, email or fax:

Address:
Independent Living Strategy
Office for Disability Issues
The Adelphi
1-11 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6HT

Telephone: 0207 712 2845
Textphone: 0207 712 2032

Email: Independent-living-review@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Copies of the Consultation

Order copies of the consultation using the ‘How to respond to this consultation’ details above. Copies are available in Easy Read, audio and Braille.

More information

If you need further information please contact us using the details above.

Equality Impact Assessment

Read the Equality Impact Assessment (PDF, 232KB, 32 pages).

Find out more on consultations (on the DirectGov website) or find out about tips on taking part in consultations (on the DirectGov website).