Blueprint for future of welfare revealed

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