Independent Living Project 2008/2009
This project worked towards the Government's policy of "Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People".
By 2010, the Government want each area to have a user led organisation (ULO).
These are organisations run and controlled by disabled people.
The Government wants to support disabled people to have opportunities to improve their quality of life and to be respected as equal members of society.
This should happen within twenty years.
They think that disabled people should have control over their lives and be fully included in the community.
We should speak out about disabled people's views and make sure services are provided which give people the chance for independent living.
Independent living is not about living alone without support. It is about having choice and control in your life.
Bath People First was the only group in 2008-2009 chosen by the Department of Health whose main focus was on people with learning difficulties.
Bath People First has been asked to work on:
- How to include all disabled people and family carers.
- How to support disabled people towards independent living.
- How to find out about the needs of a wide group of disabled people.
- How to make sure the organisations have money to keep going after the project.
- How to help the Management Committees to run the organisations and make them stronger.
- How to prove that disabled people's lives have changed.