A new Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Disability has been established to be chaired by the Minister of State for Disabled People.
Supporting the group, the Prime Minster said
“As a government, we need to do more to support disabled people to fulfil their potential – whether that’s in work, education, at home, or in civic life. This is not just about fairness, this is also about tapping into the social and economic contribution that disabled people can and do make to the country. It is vital that every Government department contributes to meeting this challenge.”
The Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Disability meets for the first time on 13 March. Further meetings are planned for June, October and January 2015.
Members of the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on Disability
Mike Penning MoS for Disabled People (Chair)
David Willetts MoS for Universities and Science
Kris Hopkins PUS for Communities and Local Government
Helen Grant MoS for Sport and Equalities
Edward Timpson PUS for Children and Families
Baroness Kramer MoS for Transport
Norman Lamb MoS for Care and Support
Norman Baker MoS for Crime Prevention
Anna Soubry PUSoS and Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans
Simon Hughes MoS for Justice and Civil Liberties
Lynne Featherstone PUS for International Development
Nick Hurd MoS for Civil Society
Nicky Morgan Economic Secretary to the Treasury
Issues to be discussed
The aim of the group is to identify new options for action are there, building on Fulfilling Potential.
What can be done to encourage and support local communities to become more inclusive and accessible for disabled people?
- what makes an inclusive and accessible community for disabled people. Criteria could include (similar to Dementia Friendly Communities):
- Is local transport accessible?
- Is the built environment becoming more accessible?
- Are local attitudes inclusive? Is Hate Crime or harassment prevalent?
- Are local employers Disability Confident?
- Are sports opportunities inclusive and do they reach out to disabled people?
- Are cultural and social offerings accessible and inclusive?
- Is the community dementia friendly?
- Do disabled people have a say in local service design and delivery?
- Are shops and other private sector services accessible?
- What supporting actions might be taken by Government
- Highlighting best practice,
- Identifying and removing barriers,
- Working with a range of organisations, including non-government partners,
- Initiatives to involve disabled people in service design and delivery,
- Improving public services to make them more accessible,
- Sharing data or providing tools for local community action,
- Legislative changes
- Next steps:
- Discuss further at Fulfilling Potential Forum
- Work with Disability Action Alliance
- A day of local action in early September?
- A challenge to local areas?