Changes to support for disabled people - have your say

The social care system in this country is not working and the Government plans to make changes.

The big question

What changes to make and how to pay for them?

You may have seen the press coverage of the Government consultation about this and will have noticed a big focus on the needs of older people who need personal care.

However this is not the only group covered by the proposals in this green paper. It is vital that the Government also hears the views of other groups: people who were born with a disability; disabled people of working age; older people who can wash and dress themselves but need other support such as a communicator guide.

Deafblind people must be heard

If deafblind people and their families don't tell the Government what they want, then their voices won't be heard and their needs may not be met in any new system. Now is the time to get involved!

You can do this in several ways. Firstly, you can attend one of the Government's consultation events. These are happening all over England between now and the end of October. To book go to: www.coievents.co.uk/careandsupport, telephone 020 7261 8400 or email careandsupport@coi.gsi.gov.uk.

You can find details of other ways to get involved, including joining the debate on facebook, signing up for email updates and writing your own response at http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/.

Sense will be doing a response and we encourage all deafblind people and families to let us know what you think to inform our response. If you haven't had a copy of our consultation questionnaire please ask for a copy.

Sense, 13th August 2009

To post your comment on this story please go here:

http://www.sense.org.uk/media_centre/latest_news/august_2009/changes_suport_disabled_comment.htm