Joint Statement from Inclusion Gloucestershire and Barnwood Trust

The following statement is in response to the High Court judgement regarding the National Disability Strategy

Further to our initial statement highlighting the need for a true commitment to co-production, we welcome the High Court ruling that the Government’s Disability Strategy is unlawful due to the inadequacy of its engagement process.

A survey that does not give participants enough information regarding the government’s proposed strategy to allow them “intelligent consideration and response” and is presented in a format which does “not allow for a proper response even to the issues canvassed in the Survey” cannot offer the level of meaningful engagement that is essential to create the long-term positive change required.

Disabled people and people with mental health challenges across the UK face disadvantage and inequality in multiple domains of everyday life, from leaving school with fewer qualifications, to living in housing that is unsuitable and inaccessible, whilst navigating their way through a society that is not designed for their needs, and experiencing discrimination, stigma and disadvantage in and when trying to access the workplace.

We are hopeful that the Government will now follow the High Court’s recommendation to engage with disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations to properly coproduce a strategy and look forward to a comprehensive, codesigned revision.