Include us in new disability plan, young people tell Government

James Bell, speaking at the Include Us In event. Photo via Linkage Community Trust.

Young disabled people from Linkage Community Trust have made clear to the Government that they want a say in their own futures.

They want to be able to choose the sort of school or college they go to, they want a say about the support they get,  and they want to be able to choose the sort of work they do.

As the Government draws up new plans about helping disabled people achieve their goals and play a full part in the communities they live in, young people also want to carry on having their say.

These were the main messages from a major discussion event held by Linkage, which is a charity that supports young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The event, called Include Us In,  was held in Lincolnshire where Linkage is based.

One of the speakers at the event, James Bell (24)  spoke about how important it was to him to have a job. He said: ‘I am in paid employment. My work gives me a wider life. It gives me the opportunity to do things I have always dreamed of. I work at a hotel and also at an advocacy project called Voiceability. 18 months ago, I never thought I would get a job and enjoy life as much as I am doing right now. I have faced a lot of personal challenges. School was difficult for me and I never thought I would get a job. But I had a great time at Linkage College. And now I get support from Care staff where I live. This has all made me more confident and independent. At the hotel, I meet all our guests and I try to make them feel at home. I enjoy chatting to them and making them feel welcome. At Voiceability, it is my job to speak up in support of other disabled people. I also speak up about my own experience. I have great support from my bosses too. And now I have this new beginning, a new chapter in my life.”

James was one of more than 150 people from Linkage who gave their views to the Government about their hopes for the future and their experience of what works and what doesn’t in helping them live confident lives.

The areas they cited as being most important to them were:
• being able to make choices in education
• person-centred planning
• being able to get a job
• support to help them get out and about and join in activities in the community
• support to manage changes in life
• support to live as independently as possible
• having enough money to manage on
• being able to use public transport such as buses and trains (especially for wheelchair users)
• being able to get in and out of buildings (especially for wheelchair users)
• respect
• being treated fairly
• being treated the same as non-disabled people

This event was one of many that have been held around the country. It comes at a time when disabled people face big changes in how education, care and employment services are funded and delivered.

“It is very important for young disabled people to express their views loudly and clearly about the services they receive and what needs to be done to ensure that they can build confident futures,’ says Linda Alexander, Policy and Campaigns Officer for Linkage.

Her views were echoed by James Bell at the event: “As a young person, I think it was good to be asked my views and it is very important that young people are listened to by the Government,” he said.

James’ speech and other coverage of the event (including video and audio) is on Linkage’s website at www.linkage.org.uk.  Follow Linkage on Twitter @LinkageCT.