Last Updated on February 6, 2024

Government has launched its new Disability Action Plan, aiming to make the UK the most accessible place in the world for disabled people.

Specific actions announced include:

• A new fund to support disabled people who want to be elected to public office.
• Building an online information hub for local authorities on creating accessible playgrounds.
• A new working group to educate businesses on the legal rights of assistance dog owners and make it simpler to report when they are refused access to a business.
• Leading new research into emerging issues affecting disabled people in the UK over the next 20 years.
• Ensuring disabled people’s experiences are fully taken into account during resilience planning for emergencies.
• Publishing research into the accessibility of private sector products and services in Spring 2024.
• Holding a conference on climate adaptation and disability.
• Addressing concerns that the Ultra Low Emission Zone and Clean Air Zones have led to some disabled people feeling excluded from city centres and across London.

In response to the launch of Government's new Disability Action plan, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), said, 'The Disability Action Plan provides welcome steps forward in some of the areas we know matter most to disabled people. The emphasis on inclusion, accessible communications and involvement of disabled people in emergency and resilience planning is good to see and also reflects the findings from our Commission on COVID-19, Ableism and Racism.

'This is however a short-term plan in an election year. We continue to call on political parties to be big and bold in their ambitions for disabled people. That involves prioritising co-decision making when it comes to the ongoing challenges that need addressing such as further support for people in employment, fully funding cost of living support and improving access to housing.'

Ali Gunn, Head of Public Affairs, Policy, and Communications at United Response, said, 'Whilst there are several positive short-term solutions from the Plan, few longer-term approaches have been offered to address chronic, pressing challenges facing disabled people and their families.

'We welcome the Disability Unit’s explicit commitment to support disabled election candidates financially. United Response and partners across civic society have closely engaged successive Disability Ministers on this issue. We look forward to building on this pledge and opening up equitable opportunities for disabled people to participate in public life.

'Similarly, we acknowledge clear commitments made towards better signposting of information to disabled people and their families, as well as developing new resources addressing disability-specific issues.

'Nevertheless, we are alarmed that the number one issue facing disabled communities across the country merits only one action – that is, the cost-of-living crisis. Promises to "improve understanding" across Government ring hollow when it is well-documented that disabled people are disproportionately impacted by additional care and living costs. Consecutive studies since the COVID-19 pandemic have confirmed this, and MPs themselves know from their inboxes from constituents.

'Similar knowledge-raising initiatives, such as that to "promote better understanding" of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across Government, lose their edge when the Government has yet to fully respond to severe shortcomings identified by the UN Committee in fulfilling its legal obligations.

'In all, United Response believes the renewed Disability Action Plan offers more talking points than action points. Firmer commitments towards decisively addressing long-term challenges are what’s needed to realise the Plan’s ambition of making "this country the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live, work and thrive".

'Of these, funding adult social care, supporting disabled people in poverty, and tackling barriers to justice facing victims of disability-motivated hate crimes are the most pressing. We will continue to hold the Government accountable on their record and work constructively with policymakers across Westminster to ensure disabled voices are at the centre of every decision.'

Jackie O'Sullivan, acting Chief Executive Officer at Mencap, said, 'Despite some encouraging steps forward, the Disability Action Plan is unlikely to bring about the change people with a learning disability need from our Government.

'We welcome new initiatives, like improving how Government will undertake research on disabled people’s experiences; support for disabled people who want to seek public and elected office; and work to make Government communications more accessible. But these positive steps do not address the most pressing issues for people with a learning disability: access to social care, healthcare, employment and cost of living support.

'It's hard to feel optimistic about a plan which fails to address some of the fundamental inequalities for people with a learning disability who are dying on average 22 years younger than those in the general population or the fact that only 27% of people with a learning disability are in work, despite over four in five wanting a paid job.

'The unacceptable inequalities experienced by people with a learning disability can only be addressed through a robust long term strategy to tackle the biggest barriers people with a learning disability face.'

To read Government's new Disability Action Plan in full, visit GOV.UK.

In other news, Care England has launched a new end-to-end solution to aid issues arising from recruitment and retention for providers and local authorities.