Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People:
Aims of the project
'Disability' is not a precise concept. For example, depending on
the context, the phrase 'disabled people' may include those:
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dealing with long-term or short-term issues;
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disabled from birth or disabled later in life;
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who self-define as disabled, or those who do not;
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who meet the criteria of any of a number of common definitions, or those
who do not.
Unless otherwise stated, the material on this website uses a generic and
inclusive definition of disability. The Strategy Unit recognises, however,
that there may be different issues or policy implications for the different
groups described above. Moreover, the Strategy Unit is clear that
disability is not the same as impairment - and that the onset of disability
is typically a result of social, attitudinal and physical barriers.
What is also clear is that disabled people, both children and adults, are
faring less well than non-disabled people across a range of indicators and
opportunities ('life chances') that determine overall quality of
life.
For example, disabled people are less likely to obtain educational
qualifications, more likely to live in poverty and more likely to suffer
social exclusion and isolation.
There are particular concerns about the barriers faced by disabled people
at key transition points in life - and about outcomes for some specific
groups of disabled people.
Many services are in place, but these can be fragmented and their
effectiveness may be low in some cases.
In the light of this evidence, the aims of this project are:
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to assess the extent to which disabled people are suffering adverse
economic and social outcomes in the UK;
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to identify why this is happening, and what are its implications; and
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to assess what could be done to improve the effectiveness of Government
interventions, both by mainstreaming consideration of disability into
general policy-making, and through specific measures.
Key themes being explored in the project include (a) how life chances can
be improved; (b) how individual needs can be met; and (c) roles, rights and
responsibilities.
The Strategy Unit worked closely with initiatives being taken forward in
other Government Departments, including for example the work being
undertaken by the Social Exclusion Unit on the specific issues faced by
adults with mental health conditions.
