Today, the Minister for Disabled people, Esther McVey, published the document ‘Fulfilling Potential – Making it Happen’, which sets out the Government’s commitment to ensuring that disabled people are able to achieve their aspirations and play a full, active role in society.
In response, Jan Tregelles, chief executive of Mencap, said:
The strategy highlights the huge amount of activity that is taking place across government departments and communities that will impact on people with a disability. Most of it will have a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. , but some of the activity gives us cause for serious concern, such as the recent move from Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by a benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). to Personal Independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices. Payments.
We are pleased to see important pieces of work taking place that will improve the lives of people with a learning disability and their families, including a focus on reducing avoidable deaths of people with a learning disability in the health service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. , and transforming our social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. system. We look forward to working with government to deliver these important changes.