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In this issue
Stakeholders air their views at the ODI Annual Event- Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future
- Minister celebrates International Day of Disabled People
What's happening?
- It's a shorter ODInsight this month as we return from the festive break. We wish all our readers a very successful 2009. If you have any comments about ODInsight or the work of the ODI itself, please email office-for-disability-issues@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
- Outdoors for All aims to increase the number of people from diverse groups who participate in outdoor recreation and access the natural environment over the next 10 years. For more details visit the Defra website.
- Lord McKenzie of Luton restated the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on Disability Rights. Read the full text of the Minister's response on our UN Convention page.
- Start the new year the right way with an ODI calendar. These exclusive 2009 calendars are now in limited supply. If you’d like one, contact office-for-disability-issues@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
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Stakeholders air their views at the ODI Annual Event
Eleven ministers and senior government officials launched Secretary of State Reports on progress towards disability equality at the ODI's Annual Event on 1 December. The event provided a clear demonstration of the cross-government commitment to making equality a reality for disabled people.
The event featured panel discussions with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Government Equalities Office while stakeholders aired their views in lively Q&A debates, and Mike Adams of the Essex Coalition of Disabled People spoke on user-led organisations.
Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future
On 10 December, the Government published its Welfare Reform White Paper. The paper outlines the steps needed to help disabled people build their capabilities and increase the power they have over their lives by legislating for disabled people to have a right to control certain services that they access.
Read the White Paper on the DWP website at www.dwp.gov.uk/raisingexpectations.
Minister celebrates International Day of Disabled People
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, celebrated the International Day of Disabled People on 3 December.
He saw first hand how supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and autism can
help them to enjoy fulfilling, independent lives through training, volunteering or paid employment.
Read more about Jonathan Shaw's visit on our latest news page.