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The welfare system should be reformed to help disabled people design and deliver their own services, according to new research.

The report, from think-tank Demos and charity Scope, calls on the government to use its reforms of incapacity benefit to create a new welfare system for disabled people.

It argues that this should be based on the principles of independent living with individuals' needs at the centre. Current welfare measures are criticised for failing to bring disabled people into mainstream society or create equal opportunities.

It calls for the government to support and empower disabled people to shape their own services by working in partnership with them and their organisations on the reforms.

"We need to start with the presumption that disabled people want to be active economically, want to be active citizens," said Tony Manwaring, chief executive of Scope.

He added: "There are one million disabled people who want to work but who can't because they don't have practical support to find suitable jobs and then remain in work."

Independent Living: The right to be equal citizens from: www.demos.co.uk