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Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People

Third Advisory Group meeting

The third meeting of the Project Advisory Group took place on Thursday 8th July, and was attended by:

Maria Eagle Chair (Minister, DWP)
Stephen Ladyman (PUSS, DH)
Phil Snell , on behalf of Baroness Cathy Ashton (Minister, DfES / DWP)
Sheila Fletcher , on behalf of Yvette Cooper (PUSS, ODPM)
Christine Lenehan (Director, Council for Disabled Children)
Bert Massie (Chair, DRC)
Norman Glass ( Director, National Centre for Social Research)
Sally Witcher (Chair, DEAC)
Bruce Calderwood (DWP)
Nicholas Holgate (HMT)
Ruth Stanier , on behalf of Claire Tyler (SEU)

The Group was split into two sub-groups to discuss the Strategy Unit's draft vision for the future, goals and strategy. The two groups then reported back to the main group. There was a general discussion emphasising the importance of evaluating the Strategy Unit project and its outcomes after it has finished.

The main points arising from the two sub-groups and from the subsequent discussion were as follows:

>> The Group welcomed the inclusion of 'independent living' in the draft vision but were concerned that the term may not be clear enough for the general audience. The Group also emphasised the role of the family and other relationships.

>> The Group agreed that the vision must be shared across Government and should apply broadly to all disabled people. It must also be prioritised and specific rather than a 'shopping list' of general issues.

>>  The Group want the vision to be ambitious, inspiring and independent of budgetary issues. There was also agreement that the vision needs to include disabled people taking up opportunities, not just having opportunities

>>  The twenty year time horizon was welcomed by the Group if it was underpinned by measurable milestones to achieve along the way.

>>  It will be important to have a person-centred and rights-based approach to how the vision is delivered. Disabled people need to be involved in delivering new policy.

>> There was discussion about the issue of 'entitlements' and whether the vision should or could include this concept.

>>  There was agreement that barriers to delivery, such as the lack of joint working, need to be addressed.

>> The group agreed that there needs to be a goal about disabled people making their own well-advised decisions.

>> An emerging priority for the project was the issue of variation, for example, of budgets and services. The project should investigate what variation is present and whether it is acceptable.

The next meeting of the Project Advisory Group will take place on Thursday 16th September 2004.