Overview

The Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill aims to ensure disabled people in England and Wales have the same choices and opportunities as non-disabled people. It introduces new rights for disabled individuals, including the right to self-directed assessments, individual budgets, and choice in living arrangements. The bill also places new duties on local authorities and NHS bodies to promote independent living.

Description

Key Rights for Disabled Persons:

• Right to Information, Advice, and Assistance: Access to clear information about their rights and available services.
• Right to Self-Directed Assessment: The right to participate in assessing their own needs for support.
• Right to Individual or Delegated Budgets: The choice to receive support funding directly or through a designated person/organization.
• Right to Choose Living Arrangements: The right to choose where they live, avoiding institutional settings unless it is their preference and meets their needs.
• Right to Advocacy: Access to independent advocates to support their decisions and represent their interests.

Key Duties for Local Authorities and NHS Bodies:

• Promote Independent Living: Develop and implement strategies to support independent living.
• Provide Services: Secure the availability of a range of support services (practical assistance, advocacy, housing, employment).
• Maintain a Register of Disabled Persons: Identify and maintain a register of disabled people in their area to better plan and provide services.
• Enhance Capacity of Local Service Providers: Support organizations that help disabled people, fostering collaboration and fair opportunities for contracts.
• Co-operation: Collaborate with each other and relevant partners to ensure effective service delivery.

Amendments to Existing Legislation:

The bill amends several existing acts, including the Mental Health Act 1983, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children Act 1989, and the Housing Act 1996, to better align them with the principles of independent living.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for increased government spending. However, it mandates the creation of a national economic plan to outline the costs and benefits of implementation, including transitional funding and the reinvestment of savings from other areas to support the new provisions. The ultimate financial impact will depend on the scale of the implemented services and the level of individual needs and budget allocations.

Groups Affected

• Disabled Persons: This bill significantly impacts disabled people by granting them new rights and access to resources, potentially improving their quality of life and independence.
• Carers: Carers may benefit from support services to enable them to also maintain independent living while providing support.
• Local Authorities: Local authorities will bear increased responsibilities for providing and funding services, requiring changes in resource allocation and service delivery.
• NHS Bodies: NHS bodies will have new duties to provide associated support services and collaborate with local authorities.
• Housing Providers: The bill requires improvements in accessible housing and a review of building regulations to better accommodate disabled people.
• Service Providers (Voluntary and Private): The bill encourages the involvement of these providers and creates opportunities for them to bid for contracts for independent living services.

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