Tuesday, 30 January 2024 – 9:30am – 1.00pm – Online Webinar
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, 16.0 million people in the UK – 24% of the total population – had a disability in 2021/22.
A range of inequalities exist between disabled and non-disabled people in the UK in terms of outcomes relating to education, employment, housing, well-being and experiences of crime, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
- 25% of disabled people have a degree or equivalent, compared to 43% of non-disabled people. What is more, just
- 55% of disabled men and 53% of disabled women are in employment, compared to 85% of non-disabled men and 79% of non-disabled women.
This symposium will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders engaged in improving disability services, including local authorities, healthcare professionals, and charities, to examine the government’s Disability Action Plan 2023 to 2024, explore avenues for improving service delivery, and exchange ideas as to how to reduce poverty and outcome disparities and widen opportunity for disabled people.
Speakers:
- Marion Fellows MP, SNP Spokesperson for Disabilities
- Dr Joseph Mintz, Associate Professor in Education at University College London
- Professor Kim Hoque, Professor of Human Resource Management at King’s Business School
- Angela Matthews, Head of Policy & Research at the Business Disability Forum
- Jane Green MBE, Founder & Chair of SEDSConnective
- Lorraine Harris & Paul Downes, South West Strategic Partnership Advisor & Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Partnership Advisor at Activity Alliance
Programme:
- Critically examine the National Strategy for Disabled People 2021, the High Court’s declaration of its illegality, and the government’s Disability Action Plan 2023 to 2024
- Assess how policymaking can better take account of disabled people’s voices to empower and reduce disparities
- Consider the impact of cuts to disability and other benefits on levels of poverty among disabled people and avenues for reform
- Discuss the particular challenges facing disabled people during the cost-of-living crisis and additional support required to meet urgent needs
- Assess the lasting impact of Covid-19 and the Coronavirus Act 2020 on disabled people
- Identify how new technologies and digitalisation can be employed to assist and empower disabled people and widen access to services
- Discuss the challenges facing the NHS and social care in meeting the needs of disabled people
- Evaluate the prospects for improved outcomes for children and young people under the government’s SEND review proposals
- Discuss how travel, work, sport and recreation can be made more accessible for disabled people
