Liberal Democrats launch Manifesto for Disabled People
Nick Clegg launches the party's Manifesto for Disabled People today. In the foreword, he writes:
Liberal Democrats believe that no matter who you are, where you come from and what your circumstances, you should not be denied the opportunity to fulfil your potential.
It is essential to break down the unfair divisions in our society, yet disabled people in Britain today still face significant barriers to getting on and living happy, independent lives.
Providing opportunity for everyone is the test of a liberal society.
In Coalition Government, I am proud of the important progress Liberal Democrats have made in driving improvements.
From fighting to protect schools and teaching budgets, to investing £400m in carers' breaks, or launching the No voice unheard, no right ignored programme to ensure people with disability, autism and mental health conditions get the best care possible.
But we can and must go further.
In Government again, we will ensure that disabled people get the support and help they need to find work, whether it is supporting those who want to work, or ensuring fairer assessment and support of those who can't.
We will work to improve the benefits system for disabled people, ensuring assessments are truly fair, with quick access to financial help for those who cannot work.
We will move towards an integrated health service with more joined up care, more personal budgets so people have more control over the care they need, and delivering equality of care for mental health patients.
Only the Liberal Democrats will create opportunity for everyone by building a stronger economy and a fairer society. Labour will borrow too much, risking the economy. The Tories will cut too much, threatening public services and sacrificing the least well off.
We are determined to stick with the approach we set out in 2010
- a fair way of restoring the nation's finance. The fruits of Britain's recovery must be felt by all - providing disabled people with real opportunities to achieve their potential, and the support they need to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
The key measures are:
Simplifying benefits for disabled people bringing Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Employment Support Allowances (ESA) into one easily accessible fund
Ensure tenants who need an extra bedroom for genuine medical reasons are entitled to one in any assessment of their Housing Benefit needs
Encourage employers to shortlist any qualified disabled candidate and provide advice about workplace adaptation
Formally recognise British Sign Language as an official language of the United Kingdom
Tackle disability hate crime by ensuring proper monitoring of incidents by police forces and other public authorities
That hate crime measure is really important. I have been horrified to hear two of my friends who carry white canes because of severe visible impairment have had abuse shouted at them in the street by idiots who tell them they are putting it on or making it up.
The party also has some targeted help for carers:
Introduce an annual Carer's Bonus of £250 for carers looking after someone for 35 hours or more each week.
Work to raise the amount you can earn before losing Carer's Allowance from £110 to £150 a week.
Consult on introducing five days' paid additional 'care leave' a year for carers who qualify for the Carer's Allowance.
Give the NHS a legal duty to identify carers and develop a Carer's Passport scheme to inform carers of their rights in the NHS, like more flexible visiting hours, assert their role as expert partners in care and gain access to support.
Encourage employers to provide more flexible working.
You can read the whole thing here.