Creating a fairer Britain
Retrenchment into the more “traditional” economies of cutting, trimming and delay has led to a disproportionate disadvantage being placed on disabled people in the past and further embeds their disempowerment and so reliance on services. It is crucial that we reduce demand in the system in order to meet the challenges we face. This requires empowerment, autonomy, self-management and emancipation, all of which rely on spending, focussed on prevention rather than “crisis management”. Coproduction and independent living together offer an approach that values self determination and empowerment, that recognises the collective responsibility of decision making and that advocates that disabled people should have the same choices, control and freedom as others take for granted, when determining and delivering on coproduced outcomes. This supports the principles of independent living which in turn supports a reduction in demand as independent living stimulates and maximises the equal participation in the generation of gross national product and wealth for both the individual and the nation. We can configure services in a way that is consistent with financial, legal and moral needs and that delivers the desired outcomes we all want.
The Commission response is now available for download