Welfare Reform on the Web (August 2003): Services for the Disabled - UK

"ACCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT OR SOCIAL EXCLUSION?" ARE THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES WORKING FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

P Russell

Children and Society, vol. 17, 2003, p.215-225

Disabled children and their families have benefited form a wide range of government policies and initiatives. There have been encouraging moves towards greater educational and social inclusion, and progress in involving parents and children in individual decision-making and policy development. The National Service Framework, the advent of children's trusts and a new special education needs action programme, together with the introduction of direct payments, give encouraging messages about multi-agency working and a strategic and joined up approach to childhood disability.

THE GOVERNMENT OF DISABILITY: ECONOMICS AND POWER IN WELFARE AND WORK

D.Jolly

Disability and Society, vol.18, 2003, p.509-522

In a UK context, paper explores how the experience of disability is shaped by government economic policies and welfare strategies. Where disabled people used to be regarded as a group of the deserving poor requiring welfare support, they are now required and incentivised to enter the labour market.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?

J. Ackroyd

John Grooms, 2003

Report shows that not enough is known about the current disabled population, resulting in poorly planned, inadequate and inappropriate care, housing and health services for them. Calls for this information gap to be plugged as a first step towards better services in the future. Problems are most acute in the area of housing, where there is insufficient accommodation that meets the needs of disabled people.