Join us on June 11th in a rally and lobby of Parliament: demand the right to Independent Living

Join us on June 11th in a rally and lobby of Parliament: demand the right to Independent Living

RADAR is a member of the Our Lives Our Choices (OLOC) coalition, campaigning for the right to Independent Living for all disabled people.

The OLOC coalition is organising a rally outside Downing Street, followed by a lobby of our MPs in Westminster Hall in Parliament, on June 11th.

We need to continue to make our voices heard, and tell our story, as the Government make key decisions about the future of our social care system.

We need you to join us on June 11th. The rally will take place from 11.30 – 12.30, on the day that the Prime Minister goes across to the House to answer the Prime Minister’s Questions. Come and tell Gordon Brown that our social care system is in crisis.

After this we will gather in Westminster Hall from 2.30 to lobby our MPs directly, asking them to support the Independent Living Bill, which provides a legislative framework to give disabled people rights to Independent Living. Please let your MP know in advance that you are coming, to guarantee an appointment with them.

Why do we need to rally and lobby?
Everyone recognises that the current system to support disabled people (including older people) to live their every day lives is broken. The current system simply cannot deliver and is resulting in poverty, dependency and exclusion. Even Government agrees which is why they have just launched a public debate about the future shape of social care. As the Government forms policy around social care they need to hear directly from disabled people.

What are we calling for?
· Extending choice and control that individuals and families are able to exert over support through Individual Budgets rollout nationally. Local authority and PCT JSNAs must assess advocacy need and plan to meet it.

· Setting national frameworks of minimum entitlements to social care. This should: focus on outcomes; tackle barriers to support (including restricted eligibility criteria); & deliver early intervention.

· Incentivising services which support people to live in their own homes and to participate in public life. This could include a service assumption that all people will be supported in their own homes coupled with an inspection and authority rating system which prioritises respect of people’s choice to receive support at home.

· Ensuring everyone has their human rights respected through all care providers (in every sector) being brought under coverage of the Human Rights Act.

Practical details about the rally and lobby are attached, together with a full briefing of the key issues that OLOC are campaigning on. Please let us know whether you are able to attend as we need to have an estimate of numbers.

Beth Capper
Parliamentary Officer
020 7566 0126/ Beth.Capper@radar.org.uk