Independent highlights funding gap for disabled adults

The Independent reports on the difficulties faced by the UK’s disabled adult population, many of whom rely on charities to fund basic essentials due to gaps in social services funding. The information has come to light further to research undertaken by Shelter & Capability Scotland, which will publish its findings in summer 2009. Their report, entitled ‘Fit for purpose’, describes the lack of advice, long waiting lists and limited funds that disabled people struggle against when trying to trying to find or adapt suitable housing or enter the job market. The report’s authors blame the problems on a disparity between official Government policy and the practical realities.

The article goes on to discuss the Government’s past failure to ratify the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities – it will ratify the Convention this year, but wants to opt out of ‘several unworkable areas.’ Alice Maynard of the charity Scope comments that the Government’s action ‘...reinforces the view that disabled people are not seen as equal to others and that it’s OK for other people to decide where they can and cannot be seen.’ The Independent then presents several case studies of disabled people who describe their struggles against bureaucracy, poor facilities and lack of support from social services.