Welsh call for wider view of disability

Disability and older people’s groups are lobbying the Welsh
assembly to create a broader definition of disability that would
make more people eligible for free personal care when it is
introduced.

Both Disability Wales and Age Concern Cymru want all people
assessed as needing home care to be classed as disabled and so
receive it free. This would do away with the current means-testing
system that allows councils to set contribution rates. It is
estimated this would cost £18m to fund.

The assembly has committed itself to introducing free home care
for disabled people in 2007, but has not yet decided on a
definition.

Chair of the assembly’s health committee David Melding said he
believed the definition should be restricted to that currently used
for determining disability allowance.

A working group made up of charities and local government has
recommended adopting a broader definition. A consultation paper is
due soon.

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