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Initiatives related to disabled people
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Last modified date:26 October 2009
The Department of Health is working on a number of initiatives, independently and in conjunction with other government departments, to progress the life chances and independent living agenda for disabled people.
Individual budgets
The individual budgets pilot project is a cross government initiative led by the Department of Health working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Office of Disability Issues (ODI) and Communities and Local Government (CLG). The objective driving the individual budget concept is to provide greater choice and control for people needing support, and to place the person who is supported at the centre of the process.
Direct payments
The White Paper Our health, our care, our say, identified direct payments as one of the main ways to encourage independence and enable people to take control of their lives.
Community equipment
Community equipment and adaptations play a vital role in enabling disabled people of all ages, to maintain their health and independence and to prevent inappropriate hospital admissions. Therefore, effective provision of community equipment services also has a beneficial impact on local health and social care economies.
Raising awareness of disability issues
The Department of Health is working in partnership with the Disability Rights Commission (now part of the Equality and Human Rights Commission) on measures to support the NHS in improving information and services, communications and levels of awareness of disability issues.
The Framework for Partnership Action on Disability identified key priority areas for partnership working and actions for ongoing development of the health and social care system, in order to improve the rights, independence, choice and inclusion of disabled people.
Good practice guidance has been produced that helps NHS managers and healthcare staff make a real difference by meeting the needs of disabled service users.
Additional links
Related links
Phil Hope visit to Essex Coalition of Disabled People headquarters
Care Services Minister Phil Hope MP went to Chelmsford, Essex to find out more about the Putting People First programme.
Learning Disability
Some people with a physical disability may also have a learning disability. The Department is taking forward a number of pieces of work that reflect the programme of work set out in the White Paper Valuing People.
Single Equality Scheme
Scheme that sets out how DH intends to meet its duties under the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Sex Discrimination Act.
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