Independent Living NOW!

"Independent Living enables us as disabled people to achieve our own goals and live our own lives in the way that we choose for ourselves."

Independent Living offers practical solutions for removing the barriers to equality and social inclusion that disable us, including in health & social care, housing, education, employment, transport and access to the environment.

Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities establishes disabled people’s right to Independent Living. Disability Wales believe that a National Strategy for Independent Living is needed for this to become a reality.

Streets Ahead

Inclusive access to high street shops and services

In 2004, a change to the law (the Disability Discrimination Act) meant that all service providers – for example shops, libraries, pubs, cafes, post offices, clubs – have to provide reasonable physical access into and around premises. This was done to make sure that disabled people are treated equally to non-disabled people. Four years on, we are disappointed that there are still many services that are inaccessible to many disabled people with a wide range and diversity of impairments...read more