Independent Living Strategy

Information on the aims of the Independent Living Strategy

In July 2006, the Independent Living Review was set up to develop a five-year strategy for independent living.

The aims of the strategy are that:

disabled people (including older disabled people) who need support to go about their daily lives will have greater choice and control over how support is provided
disabled people (including older disabled people) will have greater access to housing, education, employment, leisure and transport opportunities and to participation in family and community life.

The strategy contributes towards the Government's work to ratify the United Nations Convention on Disability Rights. Read more on the UN Convention on Disability Rights.

Summary report

Independent Living Strategy summary PDF (1.03 MB, 26 pages)
Independent Living Strategy summary RTF (151 KB, 26 pages)

Full report

Independent Living Strategy PDF (2MB, 135 pages)
Independent Living Strategy RTF (617KB, 135 pages)
Independent Living Strategy Easy Read (4.18 MB, 71 pages)

If require the full report in audio, please email: Independent-living-review@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Consultation

As part of the consultation process, ODI held two consultation events in York and London during the summer of 2008 and invited written responses from the public. If you would like to see the notes from the consultation events, please send an email to Independent-Living-Review@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

Summary of consultation responses

Summary of responses (PDF, 60.5 KB, 13 pages)

Equality Impact Assessment

Read the Equality Impact Assessment (PDF, 60.5 KB)

Independent Living Strategy Government consultation response

Involving disabled people: Government response to the consultation on implementation and monitoring of the Independent Living Strategy (PDF, 24 pages, 1.75 MB)
Independent Living Strategy consultation: Government's reply (Easy Read PDF, 36 pages, 2.42 MB)

Independent Living Scrutiny Group

The Government’s response to the consultation committed to the setting up of an Independent Living Scrutiny Group (ILSG). It also committed the ILSG to an important role in the monitoring of progress on the Strategy.

The ILSG’s remit is to report its views on progress on delivery of the ILS to Life Chances Ministers. Members of the Group have been selected on the basis of their expertise of independent living issues.

About the ILSG

Member biographies (PDF, 5 pages, 33 KB)
Working guidelines (PDF, 3 pages, 38 KB)
Terms of reference (PDF, 2 pages, 18 KB)
Workplan (PDF, 1 page, 15 KB)
ILSG minutes: 23 September 2009 (PDF, 8 pages, 67 KB)
ILSG minutes: 10 October 2009 (PDF, 6 pages, 59 KB)

ILSG Annual Report

Publication of Annual Reports by the ILSG will help to keep disabled people informed about progress on the ILS and the Government’s commitment to deliver equality for disabled people by 2025.

Independent Living Scrutiny Group Annual Report 2009 (standard) (PDF, 7 pages, 48 KB)
Independent Living Scrutiny Group Annual Report 2009 (Easy Read) (PDF, 24 pages, 1.53 MB)
Independent Living Scrutiny Group Annual Report 2009 (audio) (mp3, 13:52 dur, 3.17 MB)

Making the most of partnership boards

All local authorities are advised by groups of local people and community groups organised into local partnership boards. 'Making the most of partnership boards' is a guide aimed at local authorities, disabled people and their organisations explaining how disabled people and groups can get involved.

Disabled people and their organisations have told us they need a stronger voice in local decision-making and that there should be better support to make this happen. As part of the Independent Living Strategy, 'Making the most of partnership boards' is intended to help make that voice heard.

Making the most of partnership boards (standard) (PDF, 24 pages, 2.07 MB)
Making the most of partnership boards (Easy Read) (PDF, 24 pages, 2.07 MB)

Publication of this document fulfills a commitment from the Independent Living Strategy.

Network of Networks pilot

Disabled people told us there were untold networks operating but they easily went unheard.

In response, ODI has worked in collaboration with Equality 2025 and 12 Civil Society Disabled People’s Organisations to established a Network of Networks. It is hoped this Network will enable two way communication between disabled people and government.

The Networks of Networks will ensure disabled people are heard and will better enable them to get involved with government on key policy issues that impact on their lives.

The Pilot went live on 1 July 2010 to consult on two key policy areas: Independent Living and the United Nations Convention. The consultation responses will help inform the Independent Living Strategy Group’s Annual Report and Government’s response in the UNC 2011 Report.

At the end of the pilot period in March 2011 the Network of Networks will be evaluated.

ODI will keep you informed of progress on the pilot on this page.