Disabled to take charge of future

A GROUND-BREAKING scheme which empowers disabled adults to shape their own future has been launched by the Government in Oldham.

The Greater Manchester “Right to Control Trailblazer” gives disabled people more choice and control over the social care, housing-related support as well as the employment assistance and funding they need to live independently.

It is now being piloted across five local authorities in Greater Manchester — including Oldham — and, if successful, could be rolled out nationwide.

The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has established the Greater Manchester Area Partnership (GMAP) Trailblazer with the acknowledgement that disabled people are the experts in their own lives and are best placed to decide what support they need.

The two-year scheme has now been implemented in Oldham, Bury, Manchester, Stockport and Trafford and it is one of seven Right to Control Trailblazers established nationwide.

Tom Raines, project manager for the GMAP Trailblazer, said: “This initiative will greatly enhance the lives of thousands of disabled adults in Greater Manchester by enabling them to live as independently as possible.

“They can now choose the support that is offered, ask for it to be delivered in another way from another provider or have the money paid direct to them and arrange their own support — or a combination of any of these.

“Alternatively, if people are happy with the services they currently receive, they won’t have to change anything.”

In addition to the five local authorities, GMAP includes the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, Breakthrough UK, Jobcentre Plus and the Independent Living Fund (ILF).

Right to Control is now open to disabled adults living within one of the five local authorities who start to receive support from one or more of these services: Access to Work; Work Choice; Adult Social Care; Disabled Facilities Grant; the Independent Living Fund; Supporting People.

Mr Raines added: “Winning this trial scheme is a massive achievement for Greater Manchester — we will be at the cutting edge of supporting disabled people to shape their own future.

“It is the first time that disabled adults have been able to plan their support according to their aspirations.

“And if this initiative proves successful here, it has the potential to improve the lives of disabled adults both across the North-West and nationwide.”