The government has launched a consultation on a new Disability Action Plan which it says will make disabled people’s lives easier.
In its announcement the government says its proposals include raising awareness of “life-changing tech for disabled people, mandatory disability awareness training for taxi drivers, autism-friendly programmes for cultural and heritage sites”.
It adds that the plans have been designed by Ministers to make the UK a more inclusive society in the long term.
The government said immediate and practical measures proposed in the consultation include ensuring businesses are aware of disabled people’s needs – including Guide Dog access needs – to allow all disabled people to live, work and shop freely, and support for local authorities to ensure the playgrounds they build or refurbish are accessible for disabled children.
Other measures in the proposed Plan include:
– Raising the profile of assistive technology to ensure more disabled people have access to life-changing tech
– Legislating for mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and private hire drivers to unlock greater travel freedom for disabled people
– Encouraging more autism-friendly programmes in the cultural and heritage sectors to drive greater inclusivity
– Improving reasonable adjustments in the courts system so more disabled people can be on juries improving diversity and breadth of experience
– Implementing the British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE
– Exploring the feasibility of Great Britain hosting the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2031.
Tom Pursglove MP, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said: “Our Disability Action Plan will lay out practical measures we can implement here and now to improve the lives of disabled people.
“From leading the way globally with assistive technology to improving inclusivity and accessibility across sport, travel and culture, the Plan will also be important in setting the stage for longer term change.
“We want disabled people to be at the heart of decision making and I would encourage anyone interested to respond to this consultation so the views of disabled people across the country are front and centre of our final Disability Action Plan.”
Louise Mckiernan, Chair of the Disability Unit West Midlands Regional Stakeholder Network, said: “The launch of this consultation is an important opportunity for disabled people in particular to have their say and to help shape the Government’s short-term plans.
“I would encourage as many disabled people, disability organisations and other interested parties as possible to take part in this consultation exercise to ensure their voices are heard.”
The consultation will run until Saturday 6 October. Foer details visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/disability-action-plan-2023-to-2024
