Trial scheme to benefit disabled

Reporter: Lobby Correspondent
Date online: 26 February 2010

DISABLED adults will be able to choose how they spend cash allocated to them to help manage their condition.

Right to Control, which is to be trialled in Oldham, the disabled will be able to choose a care package to suit their needs.

Anyone with a learning disability may get help from Supporting People to learn skills like cooking and budgeting. They may also get support from Work Choice, which helps people find a job.

Claimants could choose to combine support by paying for a local college course, or keep things as they are.

Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw, said: “Disabled people are the experts in their own lives and that is why, through the Right to Control, we have worked with them to give people more control over the funding they receive and the services they use.”

Oldham is one of eight areas trialling the scheme which cover a diverse range of areas, ethnic make up, ages of population and economic conditions.

Baroness Jane Campbell, Chairman of the Right to Control Advisory Group, said: “The Right to Control will give disabled people real control of their lives, and will not have to simply make do with the services available.

“For the first time disabled people will be able to design their own support and who delivers it from beginning to end.

“I’m very excited about working with the chosen trailblazer areas to make choice for disabled people a reality.”

Oldham will get a share of £7million to help them deliver the changes necessary to carry out the new scheme.