New Disability Action Alliance formed to deliver disability strategy - Turn2us

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the setting up of a new Disability Action Alliance to help respond to the ideas put forward by disabled people and their organisations on living fulfilling lives.

The new alliance will be convened by the charity Disability Rights UK and supported by the Office for Disability Issues.

It will consider thousands of suggestions put forward by disabled people as part of the ‘Fulfilling Potential’ discussions started last year.

Fulfilling Potential

Last December the Government invited disabled people to help shape a new cross-government disability strategy through a consultation on a document called Fulfilling Potential. Developed in collaboration with organisations working with people with disabilities, this set out key principles and areas for discussion:

Two documents were published on 17 September 2012 to provide information on the results of this consultation:

Fulfilling Potential, the Discussions So Far summarises the issues raised and shows what actions are already being taken across Government to address some of these.

Fulfilling Potential, Next Steps sets out the vision and principles; outlines further public sector reforms; and announces a new disability action alliance, involving organisations from across the private, public and voluntary and community sectors.

The alliance – similar to the Age Action Alliance (link opens in a new window) created last year - aims to put disabled people and their organisations at the heart of creating inclusive local communities and changing attitudes to disability.

Comment from the Minister for Disabled People

Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey said: "The Paralympics truly captivated the hearts of the nation and have undoubtedly helped shift attitudes and perceptions towards disabled people. What we have now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalise on this and to work with disabled people to deliver lasting change.

"I want to ensure that there is a clear focus in place across Government and will be working with disabled people and their organisations on developing the new disability strategy so that this country remains a world leader in disability equality."

Sources: Department for Work and Pensions (link opens in a new window) and Disability Rights UK (link opens in a new window)