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Disability
An introduction to the Department of Health’s policy related to disabled people.
The social model of disability
The Department of Health subscribes to the social model of disability; that disability is defined as the disadvantage experienced by an individual as a result of barriers (attitudinal, physical etc) that impact on people with impairments and/or ill health.
Disability affects all age groups and all parts of the population, although some communities have higher incidence of chronic conditions. Some impairments and illnesses are particularly associated with ageing, while some people have a lifetime disability. Others are acquired more suddenly, either by accident or disease.
Improving the life chances of disabled people
The Department of Health’s policy is to improve the life chances of disabled people by promoting their inclusion and participation in community life, empowering them to take control over their lives. Disabled people should be able to participate in the activities other people take for granted like getting a job, travelling, raising a family or going out with friends.
The Department is committed to improving the health and well-being of the population, providing person-centred care equally to those who need it. In January 2005, the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit published ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People’. This report sets out a twenty year strategy that supports independent living, choice and control for disabled people through individual budgets, person-centred planning and self-assessment.
Initiatives related to disabled people
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.
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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