Charities demand advocacy action

Disability charities have called for statutory duties to force
councils to outline how advocacy provision will be developed and
how services will be funded.

The Independent Advocacy Campaign, which includes Mencap, the RNIB
and Sense, says many disabled people are unable to access
independent advocacy services because of a lack of skills and
funding. Without access, many disabled people are unlikely to
receive the services they are entitled to or influence decisions
affecting them.

In a report, the IAC finds “little evidence” of advocacy plans at a
local level for those with physical, sensory, communication and
profound and multiple impairments, despite strong support among
service users and advocacy schemes.

– Advocating for Equality from publications@scope.org.uk