Ambitious strategy aims to break down barriers and ensure equality across all areas of life in Wales
THE WELSH Government has published a major new ten-year strategy aimed at improving the rights, opportunities and everyday lives of disabled people across Wales.
The Disabled People’s Rights Plan sets out a long-term commitment to ensuring disabled people can participate fully and equally in society, with actions covering employment, transport, education, healthcare, housing, independent living, digital access and public services.
Developed through the work of the Disability Rights Taskforce, the plan has been shaped from the outset by people with lived experience of disability. The Welsh Government says this approach ensures the strategy responds directly to the real barriers disabled people face in their daily lives.
Following a public consultation, the plan has been strengthened to include new focus areas such as parents and unpaid carers, digital inclusion and climate change. It also introduces a clear framework to monitor progress and measure the impact of actions over the next decade.
Oversight of the plan will be provided by the Welsh Government’s Disability Disparity Evidence Unit, while a new External Advisory Board, led by disabled people, will offer independent advice and guidance on implementation.
A key focus of the strategy is improving employment opportunities. As part of this work, the Welsh Government’s Disabled People’s Employment Champion has supported Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to progress to Disability Confident Leader status.
David Chaffey, Disability Inclusion Officer at the health board, said his own lived experience highlighted the importance of inclusive workplaces.
“My own lived experience has provided first-hand insight into the barriers disabled people can face when accessing services,” he said. “I’m proud to work for an organisation that believes inclusion is about creating the right environment for everyone to succeed.
“I very much welcome the Disabled People’s Rights Plan. A clear national commitment to equality and inclusion is essential and sends a powerful message about the value of disabled people’s contributions in all areas of life.”
The Welsh Government will also use its Claim What’s Yours campaign in January to raise awareness of financial support available to disabled people, including a £100 cost-of-living payment for those eligible for both Council Tax Reduction and the Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme.
Professor Debbie Foster, co-chair of the Disability Rights Taskforce, said the plan marked the culmination of five years of work.
“This plan began in 2020 with the ‘Locked-Out’ report, co-produced with disabled people during the pandemic,” she said. “Its recommendations led to the creation of the Disability Rights Taskforce, placing disabled people’s voices at the centre of policy-making.
“I am extremely proud of what has been achieved. What disabled people in Wales now need is a cross-party commitment and the resources required to make this plan a reality.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt said the strategy represented a clear commitment to inclusion.
“We are committed to ensuring that disabled people can participate in Welsh society on an equitable basis, free from barriers,” she said. “This 10-year plan represents our commitment to true inclusion and participation.
“I thank the Disability Rights Taskforce and everyone who contributed to the consultation. We must now work together to ensure accessibility, inclusion and co-production are central to everything we do.”
