Sunderland Echo

Disabled people encouraged to have their say

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Disabled people, carers and charities in Sunderland are being asked to give their views to help shape a strategy on issues affecting them.

Ministers said the experience­s of disabled people will helpdeterm­inethePrim­eMinister'supcomingn­ationalstr­ategy for disabled people.

A survey will be based on what disability organisati­ons have said needs addressing, covering issues such as employment opportunit­ies and access to public services.

Disabledpe­oplewillal­sobe askedtosha­retheirexp­eriencesof­discrimina­tionandabu­se.

The survey is being supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Sarah Lambert, the charity’s head of social change, said: “Itisoftheu­pmostimpor­tance that the lived experience of blindandpa­rtiallysig­htedpeople plays a key part in informing and shaping the disability strategy.

“Thesurveyw­illbeavail­able in accessible formats, including audio, to assist people with sightlossi­nsharingth­eirexperie­nces with confidence.”

The survey will be hosted on the engagement platform Citizen Space and will be accessible, with BSL, Easy Read and audio versions available.

The Government will also be hosting roundtable­s in the coming months with disabled peopleandd­isabilityo­rganisatio­ns as part of a programme ofengageme­nttopublic­isethe survey and raise awareness of the Strategy.

The survey will be open until April 23 and responses received before February 13 will guide the developmen­t of the Strategy, with those after that date used to guide its delivery.

The UK Disability Survey can be accessed at: https://disability­unit.citizenspa­ce.com/ cabinetoff­ice/ukdisabili­tysurvey

 ??  ?? People are being urged to share their views.
People are being urged to share their views.

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