Scope Vision for Independent Living

Independent living can – and should – be a reality for all disabled people. This is the clear message in a new briefing paper published by Scope, the national charity for cerebral palsy.

Independent Living and Service Changes defines how the principles of choice and control must be embedded into services for disabled people. It is also gives practical suggestions on how Scope’s own services could change to fully support independent living in the future.

Independent living is integral to Scope’s vision of disabled people achieving equality but, as a concept, has often been misunderstood. Scope argues that:

* Independent living is not a ‘service’, it’s a way of life

* This means giving a disabled person choice and control, the freedom to get on a bus, go to the pub, or wherever they want, and freedom to live where they want

* Support received by a disabled person must be chosen by them

* It is society which makes independent living difficult, not a person’s degree of impairment – with the right support, independent living can become a reality for everybody.

The charity has also declared that is will not build any more large multiple occupancy ‘residential homes’ for disabled people and in the long term will not own this type of accommodation.

Executive director Sharon Collins commented: “Scope is not alone in this move to independent living. Disabled people’s organisations have been developing the principles of independent living for many years and leading the campaigning for change. Scope is in a unique position, as a major provider of services ourselves, to make these changes a reality.”

Scope help and advice:

Call free on 0808 800 3333 (helpline open 9am – 9pm weekdays & 2pm – 6pm weekends)

Email cphelpline@scope.org.uk

Or you can wtite to Scope, PO Box 833, Milton Keynes, MK12 5NY