Disabled urged to have their say on new National Disability Strategy

BETTER job prospects, accessible housing, and easier commuting for millions of disabled people are the aims of the newly-launched National Disability Strategy.

The UK government initiative strategy sets out 100 immediate commitments alongside an ambitious agenda for future reform and, while certain responsibilities are devolved, many are set to improve the everyday lives of disabled people in Scotland.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Just as our talented Paralympians are set to take the stage in Tokyo next month, at home we are harnessing that same ambition and spirit, to build a better and fairer life for all disabled people living in the UK.

“Our new National Disability Strategy is a clear plan – from giving disabled people the best start in school to unlocking equal job opportunities, this strategy sets us on a path to improve their everyday lives.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “Today’s announcement underlines the UK government’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities in Scotland. I’d urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and make their views count as we seek to improve our support.”

The strategy is focused on improving inclusion in the work place and tackling the disability employment gap – currently at 28.6 per cent in the UK.

The strategy was formulated with the input of more than 14,000 disabled people as part of the UK Disability Survey, in one of the largest exercises of its kind. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is now also urging disabled people across Britain to have their say in shaping the future of the benefits system following the launch of its Health and Disability Green Paper.

The Green Paper aims to pave the way for a fairer future of the benefits system to better meet the needs of disabled people and those with health conditions, and is set to be informed by a series of virtual and face-to-face events covering England, Scotland and Wales.

It includes changes which could enable independent living and strengthening the role of advocacy so people who need extra help to navigate the benefits system get the right level of support and information first time.

Also envisaged in the document are reviews of how assessments are carried out including embedding telephone and video assessments and looking at how reassessments work including testing a new Severe Disability Group (SDG) for people with severe and life-long conditions that will not improve. This could see those who meet the criteria experiencing a more simplified application process, without the need for an assessment to receive financial support.

Joining this is improved support for disabled people to help them start, stay and succeed in work through the Work and Health Programme, Access to Work and on personalising employment support, recognising that one size does not fit all.

The consultation survey is available in a range of accessible versions at https://getinvolved.dwp.gov.uk/05-policy-group/health-and-disability-green-paper/, with further details set out on gov.uk

The Green Paper builds on the recent announcement that people entering the final year of their life will have fast-track access to the benefits system. The six-month rule for people nearing the end of their lives claiming benefits will be replaced with a new 12-month, end of life approach, mirroring the current definition of end of life used across the NHS.