Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Provide specific details on improving the disability evidence base and lived experiences.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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 disability survey.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government is working hard to improve the evidence base on disability. DU’s own research has shown significant gaps in the data and evidence on disabled people in the UK. This is also reflected in the 2018 ONS audit3 (still largely reflective of the picture today). Our assessment is that these issues with data quality and coverage are more pronounced and widespread in relation to disability than other protected characteristic areas. DU has a small team of specialist disability researchers and analysts focusing on improving the data and evidence on disabled people, including: (1) Conducting or commissioning research to address specific data and evidence gaps, with a particular emphasis on those that are cross-cutting. (2) Working with partners across government to support improvements in data quality in existing datasets held by other government departments. This includes encouraging data collection on disability status and impairment, and the use of harmonised standards.4 This allows for cross-comparison across datasets, enabling a broad view which looks beyond isolated outcomes. (3) Building a case for a new national disability survey to fill significant data gaps that would provide crucial data on the personal experiences, needs and aspirations of disabled people, and how this intersects with other protected characteristics. This kind of data is vital for understanding the drivers of disparities (e.g. the disability employment gap). Due to the cross-cutting nature of this work the disability data and evidence team plays a central role in providing the tools, impetus and oversight required to work on data quality.