Disabled people should have equal access to all areas of Calderdale so they can live independently within the community according to a new strategy which will be considered by Calderdale Council’s Cabinet.
An estimated 37,600 Calderdale residents have some form of disability, whilst Government figures suggest that around 2700 school children in Calderdale have some level of learning difficulty.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Social Care, Cllr Bob Metcalfe said:
“I feel very strongly that lives should not be limited by disability and I want everyone in Calderdale to have the opportunity to be happy, independent and successful.
“For some people that will mean that we provide them with support so that they are able to meet the challenges that we all face in life. With the right services in place, as outlined in this strategy, we can make sure that disabled people in Calderdale are able to make choices, develop relationships and play an active part in their community.”
Previously the Council had different strategies for different age groups, so as a disabled child reached adulthood there would be a transition period as their care was passed from the teams working with children to those working with adults.
The new strategy, which is for disabled people of all ages, has been developed after a four month consultation which received over 800 responses from disabled people, families, carers and health professionals.
The initial 12 month strategy aims to provide a first look at opportunities, facilities and activities across Calderdale. Through challenging and changing existing attitudes and developing an initial action plan the aim is for the strategy to be led by disabled people and their organisations working with other partners.
This includes establishing an All Age Disability Service to combine the different teams which currently work with disabled people to create a single service which will provide appropriate support regardless of age and a transition free experience for those accessing services.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Megan Swift said:
“The consultation was very clear that families wanted our services to change and adapt as their own needs changed.
“As a young person reaches adulthood they will no longer go through a transition between services, which we know was an anxious time for some families. Thanks to this new approach the care and support they receive will now seamlessly adapt to support each person individually, throughout their life.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will be recommended to approve the new All Age Disability Strategy and Service at the next meeting, which will be held at 6pm on Monday 10 July 2017 at Halifax Town Hall.
ENDS