Creating a fairer Britain
8 December 2009
Today sees the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Convenor of the Independent Living in Scotland Steering Group, Jim Elder Woodward, jointly sign up to a shared vision for independent living in Scotland, at Victoria Quay in Edinburgh.
It sets out an agreed vision, based on the core principles of independent living, where disabled people across Scotland will have equality of opportunity and enjoy the same freedom, choice, dignity and control that other citizens take for granted, at home, at work, in education and in the social and civic life of the community.
Independent living is not simply about meeting disabled people’s needs; it is about ensuring that disabled people can access basic human rights, and participate fully in society as equal citizens.
This landmark occasion represents a turning point for the Independent Living Movement and all disabled people in Scotland. Disabled people will finally take their seat at the table, working jointly with senior policy and practice officials, across local and national government using the “coproduction” method of decision making.
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said:
“This statement marks a significant step towards equality for disabled people in Scotland. It is both ambitious and aspirational and sets out our shared commitment to promoting cultural change, which will enable disabled people to have choice and control over decisions that affect their lives.”
“It is important that disabled people are fully included in Scotland’s future, as a country of equality of opportunity and quality of life - for all of its citizens”
Councillor Ronnie McColl, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing said:
“Independent living is in Scotland’s best interest, it is right for individuals, for society and for our economy. The vision that we are setting out today fits strongly with the Single Outcome Agreements agreed by Community Planning Partnerships across Scotland and will ensure that they are inclusive of independent living principles and practices, so that disabled people can be an integral part of Scotland’s future development. We have a lot to learn from each other but by working together we can make sure that better outcomes are delivered for disabled people across Scotland.”
All three groups - The Scottish Government, COSLA and the Independent Living Movement - agree that there is scope to deliver lasting change for disabled people living and working in Scotland. And, as the shared vision states, “This can only be achieved by thinking and acting aspirationally; and by ensuring that all voices carry equal weight and are well respected”.
Jim Elder-Woodward, Convenor of the Independent Living in Scotland project, said:
“Making independent living a reality for disabled people will take time, but this joint statement is an important milestone in developing the shared strategic approach that will achieve that reality.”
As the Core Reference Group, a high level strategic group looking at cross Government issues on independent living, the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Independent Living Movement will continue to work with others to deliver on an agreed work plan over the next two years.
For press enquiries/interviews please contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission press office on 0141 228 5938 or email Deborah.cowan@equalityhumanrights.com
Ends
The Independent Living in Scotland (ILiS) project is grant-funded by the Scottish Government until 2011, it is steered by disabled people and hosted by Equality and Human Rights Commission. The project aims to reach across Scotland to inspire disabled people to take up their rights to independent living and to grow and strengthen the Disabled People’s Independent Living Movement. It will support disabled people to have their voices heard whenever decisions are made that have an impact for disabled people’s right to choice, control, dignity and freedom.