EDCM: Disabled young people routinely miss out on activities

Disabled children routinely miss out on activities enjoyed by their peers, the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign said in a report published today.

Negative attitudes from other people was the main barrier facing disabled children from playing with friends, going out in their local community and spending time away from their parents, EDCM said.

Call for action

EDCM called for disabled young people to be involved, with their non-disabled peers, in deciding how funding from the government’s play and youth strategies should be spent. It also said local authorities should ensure that all staff working with children and young people are trained in disability equality.

“We urge the government, and all play and youth workers, to have high expectations for disabled children to enjoy the same childhood and teenage experiences as their non-disabled peers,” said Christine Lenehan, EDCM board member and director of the Council for Disabled Children.

Launch

Children’s secretary Ed Balls and work and pensions secretary James Purnell are due to attend the report’s launch, at a Labour Party conference fringe event, this evening.

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