National Assembly petition inspires new plan to help people with disabilities live independently in Wales
12 October 2011
A petition submitted to the National Assembly for Wales has resulted in a new plan to support people with disabilities to live independent lives in Wales.
The petition, put forward by Disability Wales, calls for a new national strategy which recognises the equal right of every person with a disability in Wales to lead an independent life with the same choices that are open to everyone else.
The Minister for Finance and the Leader of the House, Jane Hutt AM, has informed the Petitions Committee that the Welsh Government will develop a ‘Framework for Action’ which will identify areas where action is needed and bring together a coherent delivery plan.
The framework will be based on the six priorities set out by Disability Wales in its Manifesto for Independent Living which was submitted along with the petition.
“This is a great example of how people and organisations can effect real change through petitions,” said the Chair of the Petitions Committee, William Powell AM.
“We are pleased that the assistance we have been able to give Disability Wales by bringing this important issue to the fore has resulted in this important announcement from the Minister.
“The petitions system we have in place at the National Assembly for Wales is perhaps the most direct way for people to highlight the issues they care about within the devolved subjects and effect real change.”
The petition from Disability Wales was submitted in April last year and gathered 719 signatures.
A guide to National Assembly for Wales Petitions from Assembly Wales / Cynulliad Cymru on Vimeo.