Recommendations & Conclusions
34 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - The National Disability …
Rejected
Disabled people and their representative organisations told us they have had little to no influence over the National Disability Strategy. The result is a disability strategy in name only: a list consisting mainly of pre-existing departmental actions with minimal strategic thinking behind how those actions interact. Only a strategy which …
Government response. The government rejects the conclusion that disabled people had little influence over the National Disability Strategy, providing extensive details of meetings, consultations, surveys, and qualitative research undertaken with various disabled people's organizations and charities during its development.
Government Equalities Office
2
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted in Part
The Government should develop the National Disability Strategy beyond the short- term actions already in progress. To support this approach, it should work with disabled people to develop a ten-year strategy with an action plan for the first five years outlining clear targets and timescales for delivery. The Disability Unit …
Government response. The government commits to delivering a long-term vision for the National Disability Strategy and has a new Disability Action Plan for immediate actions in 2024. However, it explicitly rejects the recommendation for the Disability Unit to have final say or …
Government Equalities Office
3
Conclusion
First Report - The National Disability …
Rejected
The Government claimed to have carried out “the biggest listening exercise with disabled people in recent history” to inform the National Disability Strategy. We disagree. Rather than being listened to, many disabled people and their representative organisations felt excluded from the engagement process. The Government then chose to ignore their …
Government response. The government rejects the committee's conclusion by detailing the extensive engagement undertaken to develop the National Disability Strategy, including numerous meetings with various disability organisations, roundtables, and the UK Disability Survey.
Government Equalities Office
4
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted
Disabled people and groups continue to feel excluded from having meaningful input into policies directly affecting them. This suggests the Government has not learnt lessons from the concerns raised over the development of the National Disability Strategy and that its efforts to engage are perceived to be superficial. The Government …
Government response. The government states that its existing stakeholder engagement framework, which includes regular meetings with disabled people's organizations, regional networks, and charities, already ensures meaningful input from the disability sector, effectively addressing the recommendation.
Government Equalities Office
5
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted
The Government should immediately establish a national advisory group bringing together the DPO Forum England and the chairs of Regional Stakeholder Networks. The advisory group’s remit should include reviewing all government policy proposals targeted towards people with disabilities; advising ministers on issues facing disabled people; and working closely with the …
Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to establish a new national advisory group, stating that its existing stakeholder engagement framework, which includes regular meetings with DPO Forum England and Regional Stakeholder Network chairs, already effectively replicates the proposed group's remit.
Government Equalities Office
6
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted
The Disability Unit, in its response to this Report, should provide specific details on the steps it is taking to improve the evidence base on disability, including on disabled people’s lived experiences and the intersection with other protected characteristics. (Paragraph 32) Progress on remaining actions
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and details specific steps the Disability Unit is taking to improve the evidence base on disability, including conducting research, collaborating with other departments to improve data quality, and building a case for a new national …
Government Equalities Office
7
Conclusion
First Report - The National Disability …
Not Addressed
The act of appealing the High Court’s judgment on the lawfulness of the National Disability Strategy created many months of uncertainty and frustration for disabled people and their representative organisations. It was unclear why the Government chose to pause 14 policies in the strategy while allowing a hundred others to …
Government response. The government defends its decision to appeal the High Court judgment and its handling of the National Disability Strategy during that period, stating the appeal was successful and most policies continued. It does not address the committee's observation about needing …
Government Equalities Office
8
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work should immediately update Parliament and disability stakeholders with specific timescales for delivery on all outstanding actions in the National Disability Strategy. (Paragraph 39) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Government response. The government states that the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work already provided a full update to Parliament on 18 September 2023 regarding progress on the Strategy and outstanding commitments, and will publish further updates.
Government Equalities Office
9
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Accepted in Part
That the Government failed to engage with the CRPD process earlier this year is disrespectful to the UN Committee and disabled people. It sends the wrong message, both nationally and internationally, about the UK’s commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. The Government, in response to this report, …
Government response. The government explains its reasons for not attending the August 2023 UN Committee meeting, stating it will participate in March 2024. It commits to improving understanding of the UNCRPD across government through the Disability Unit's work as part of the …
Government Equalities Office
10
Recommendation
First Report - The National Disability …
Acknowledged
The National Disability Strategy is a positive step towards ensuring equality for disabled people. The Government now has an opportunity to put it fully into action. However, it needs to listen to the concerns that disabled people and their The National Disability Strategy 21 representative organisations had with the strategy …
Government response. The Government acknowledges the Committee's inquiry and highlights its views on disabled people's influence, stakeholder engagement, and commitment to the UNCRPD; it states its commitment to the Strategy and the Disability Action Plan.
Government Equalities Office
11
Conclusion
First Report - The National Disability …
Acknowledged
The findings from our inquiry are split into three parts. This report looked at the extent to which disabled people had the opportunity to influence the National Disability Strategy. It focused on the Government’s engagement with stakeholders on disability policymaking. A further two reports will separately examine the inequalities that …
Government response. The Government is grateful to the Committee for their inquiry into the National Disability Strategy (the Strategy). They highlight the Committee’s views on: how far disabled people influenced the development of the Strategy, the Government’s engagement with stakeholders on disability …
Government Equalities Office
1
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Acknowledged
The Disability Action Plan calls on the Disability Unit to publish research into the accessibility of private sector products and services in spring 2024 and to improve its understanding of the barriers disabled consumers face. It is right that policy options should be evidence-based However, despite the hold ups owing …
Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's point by stating it is still working on and will share its research on the accessibility of private sector products and services, as part of the Disability Action Plan published in February 2024.
Government Equalities Office
2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Accepted
Not all businesses are considering the needs of disabled consumers when bringing products and services to the market. Where accessibility is considered, it is often done so retrospectively, as something to be bolted on to an existing design. Products and services should be inclusive by default. By not embracing inclusive …
Government response. The government responds by detailing the existing Disability Access Ambassadors (DAA) programme, outlining how senior business leaders identify and encourage improvements in accessibility and quality of products and services in their sectors. It provides numerous examples of DAA initiatives, reports, …
Government Equalities Office
3
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Accepted
The Government should task the Disability and Access Ambassadors with engaging with businesses on inclusive design, to seek out and share best practice and to identify the barriers to making products and services in their sectors accessible to disabled people. The Government should then work with each sector to discuss …
Government response. The government explains that Disability Access Ambassadors (DAAs) are senior business leaders who already identify accessibility barriers and encourage improvements in their sectors. It details how DAAs meet regularly with ministers and work with other government departments, providing various examples …
Government Equalities Office
4
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Accepted
Disabled people face additional costs in their daily lives. These costs are exacerbated by restrictions on their choice as consumers. We support the Government’s commitment in the National Disability Strategy to establish an Extra Costs Taskforce to better understand the extra costs faced by disabled people, including how this breaks …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and states it will set up the Extra Costs Taskforce. The Disability Unit will bring together disabled people, regulators, and businesses to examine the additional costs faced by disabled individuals.
Government Equalities Office
5
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Rejected
Disabled people should not have to look for alternatives or settle for less when using online shopping and services. Despite the untapped potential of the purple pound, market forces have failed to drive the urgent improvements that are necessary.
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of online accessibility but states there is no time left in this Parliament to change the law to mandate accessibility. It notes a cross-government group is examining online exclusion and that government websites are being …
Government Equalities Office
6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Rejected
Given that disabled people increasingly need access to online services, information, and social networks, it is imperative that the Government acts on what it has described as the “persistently poor accessibility of private sector websites” without further delay. As a priority, private sector websites and applications which provide essential products …
Government response. The government rejects immediate legislative action to make private sector websites accessible, stating there is no time left in this Parliament to change the law. It notes that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has established a cross-government group …
Government Equalities Office
7
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Accepted
Several banks and financial providers have innovated to make their services accessible to blind and partially sighted customers, such as issuing debit and credit cards with tactile indicators. However, this is not standard practice across the banking sector as providers continue to phase out embossed cards. We are also concerned …
Government response. The government acknowledges the need for accessible banking services, referring to existing legal requirements for banks to make reasonable adjustments. It details ongoing industry efforts and collaborations, such as tactile payment cards, talking ATMs, and guides for electronic point-of-sale devices, …
Government Equalities Office
8
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Accepted
The Financial Conduct Authority should work with the retail banking sector and organisations such as the RNIB to ensure all banks embrace inclusive design from the outset when innovating or phasing out existing services. We recommend that all banks: • roll out flat bank cards that are accessible to disabled …
Government response. The government states that banking services must be accessible and highlights existing legal requirements for reasonable adjustments. It details ongoing work by the financial services industry with RNIB, including features like dot/notch on cards and talking ATMs, but does not …
Government Equalities Office
9
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Accessibility of produc…
Deferred
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should review its food packaging guidance in light of new technological approaches being developed and ensure a minimum accessibility requirement on food packaging’s essential nutrition, health and pricing information. (Paragraph 37) Accessibility of products and services to disabled people 17
Government response. The government acknowledges the challenge of small food labels for visually impaired people and states it is writing a guide with the Codex Alimentarius Commission on using technology for food information. It indicates further consideration is needed on the impact …
Government Equalities Office
1
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
Health inequalities continue to be significant among people with learning disabilities and autism, including an unacceptable level of premature and avoidable deaths compared to the general population. Although some measures are now in place to monitor mortality, such as the annual Learning Disability and Mortality Review (LeDeR), and mandatory training …
Government Equalities Office
2
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
The Government should set out clear targets for the rollout of part two of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism to help increase take up. The training should include elements tailored to specific health settings.
Government Equalities Office
3
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
We welcome the commitment to train and recruit more learning disability nurses to help address some of the shortfall within the profession. Alongside that commitment the Government should support more learning disability nurses to go into senior leadership roles within hospital and community health services to help drive the necessary …
Government Equalities Office
4
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
The learning disability register is vital for people with a learning disability to receive important, life-saving annual health checks and reasonable adjustments. Yet around 75% of people with a learning disability are not registered. We heard from people who struggled to convince their GP to put them on the register …
Government Equalities Office
5
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
As an immediate priority, the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England should work with national and local learning disability organisations and charities and the Royal College of General Practitioners to investigate why eligible people are not on the learning disability register and take appropriate action to increase …
Government Equalities Office
6
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
Too many people are waiting far too long to get their autism assessment and the backlog is getting worse. It is clear that current efforts to address the waiting list backlog are inadequate and that the additional funding that has been allocated is far short of what is required. The …
Government Equalities Office
7
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
People with autism who may find it difficult to advocate for themselves can struggle to navigate the diagnosis process. The Government should work with NHS Trusts to ensure that information about the autism assessment process is accessible and available to everyone going through it, from pre- to post-diagnosis.
Government Equalities Office
8
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
Women and girls with autism struggle to get diagnosed. Understanding of how autism presents in women and girls must be improved so that they can receive the support they need before they reach crisis and to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate care. The Government acknowledged this need in the National Disability …
Government Equalities Office
9
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
The Government has fallen short on its commitment to halve the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people inappropriately detained in mental health hospitals. Promises to bring forward a new Mental Health Bill to help address this concern have gone unmet. Meanwhile, the number of autistic people …
Government Equalities Office
10
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
The Government must make more progress in reducing the number of people with learning disabilities and/or autism detained in mental health settings. To achieve this the Government needs to learn from previous failings and increase support for community-based alternatives to detention and do more to stop people reaching crisis in …
Government Equalities Office
11
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
In response to this report, the Government should set out: • The reasons why the number of autistic people detained in mental health hospitals has increased; and how it plans to reduce that number, and by when. • The steps it will take to improve access to and availability of …
Government Equalities Office
12
Conclusion
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
People with a learning disability and autistic people, and the people who care for them, are the real experts when it comes to their health and care needs. However, aside from the occasional opportunity to feed into consultations, their voices are often missing when it comes to decision making at …
Government Equalities Office
13
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
The Government should reestablish a national board with a focus on improving health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people across all health and social care services. That board should include, and be led by, people with a learning disability and autistic people, people with parental and …
Government Equalities Office
14
Recommendation
Sixth Report - Inequalities in healthca…
People with a learning disability and autistic people can and want to work and thrive when they get the opportunities to do so. However, they face the widest employment gap of all people with disabilities and find it difficult to get their foot in the door. The Government should: • …
Government Equalities Office