ODI launches the cross-government Independent Living strategy – a five-year strategy joining current and new policy initiatives to provide a coherent framework for making progress towards the goal of independent living.
The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has published new Disability Equality Duty (DED) guidance to support government departments. Key Secretaries of State have to report on progress across their areas of policy responsibility by December 2008. The ODI's guidance is designed to support departments prepare for this.
The Department of Health has launched a new project to establish a user-led organisation in every locality by 2010. A development fund has been established for 2007/08. User-led organisations are being encouraged to apply to deliver action and learning sites up to March 2009.
Ministers listen to views of disabled children and young people
On 25 October, three department ministers met with disabled children and young people. The event was organised by the Office for Disability Issues to enable ministers to hear young people's views on the government's strategy
In March 2007, the UK signed the UN Convention on Disability Rights. This
demonstrates our commitment to human rights for the world's 650 million
disabled people. We are currently scrutinising our laws and policies, practices
and procedures carefully to ensure they are compatible with the convention's
obligations. The aim is that, by the end of next year, the UK should ratify
the convention.
RADAR has launched a new guide to getting and keeping a job while managing
impairment. The Office for Disability Issues and the Department for Work and
Pensions partially funded the development of the guide last year. It is based
on the in-work experience of people with a wide range of impairments and backgrounds.
RADAR has piloted the guide in four areas of England and Scotland with Jobcentre
Plus, A4e, Shaw Trust and in Health Centres and GP surgeries. The booklet can
be ordered from RADAR.
Around 100 disabled people from across the UK attended Equality 2025's public meeting on 12 November. The meeting, held in Birmingham, enabled them to discuss issues including independent living, human rights and education.
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