Appendix 1: what ‘good’ looks like
During our co-production and consultation, we asked disabled children and adults what they thought ‘good’ looks like. There was so much feedback that we can’t include every comment here, but the full list will steer the work of the Our Manchester Disability Plan.
Planning and delivering services
‘Good’ looks like this:
- Disabled people, their families and carers will be at the heart of decision-making. The impact of the disability on the whole family will be considered, and support offered to other family members if required.
- Services will communicate with one another: information will be shared and services will be more co-ordinated when working across organisations.
- There won’t be as many assessments and we won’t have to keep repeating ourselves.
- There will be a wider choice of services to suit individuals. Services will be designed for the requirements of the disabled person, their family and carers.
- Everyone will ‘think outside the box’.
- Services will be person-centred and there will be discussion and planning ahead for key life events, eg. transition from being a young person to becoming an adult.
- Everyone takes responsibility to understand and develop relationships with their family, friends and/or customers with a disability.
- There will be more peer support relating to the individual, confidence-building, and raising and managing expectations.
- Professionals will be less judgmental about the role and actions of families and carers.
- People will be able to access services closer to home, so they can continue to be part of their local community even when care and support is needed.
Fulfilling potential
‘Good’ looks like this:
- I have the chance to be a parent and friend, and have a family.
- I have the opportunity to get a job, build a career, or do some volunteering.
- Employers will be flexible and work around people’s needs, offering flexible hours and taking into account good and bad days – for disabled people and carers.
- Education will be more personalised and inclusive wherever possible, with better transition and post-16 choices.
- People will be empowered to help themselves and improve their health.
- Carers will have a higher profile and be given more respect and recognition.
- Carers should be paid a living wage, with annual reviews and pensions.
- I will feel safe.
Choice
‘Good’ looks like this:
- I’ll be able to live in my own home with people I choose to live with, and be able to choose when to go to bed and what to eat.
- I’ll be able to go out – to go shopping, or go to the pub. I’ll have a social life.
- I want to take part in community and public life.
- Young people will be educated and supported to learn about living in their own home.
- There will be stronger emphasis on preventative services for people at risk of becoming homeless.
- There should be a ‘recommended’ list – a list of tradespeople – so I feel safe and know who I’m dealing with.
- Extra Care housing will be available for young people.
- Planners and providers will work with disabled people to test buildings, refurbishments etc.
- We’ll have an ‘access guide’ in Manchester. Other cities have them.
- There’ll be dropped kerbs. Pavements will be in better condition with fewer obstacles on pavements, such as furniture and signage.
- Hackney cabs, trams and buses will put ramps down for us.
- There’ll be more suitable and accessible private and social housing for disabled children and adults.
- The allocation of suitable properties for disabled children and adults will improve, eg. I might be offered a one-bedroom flat, but I may need a PA or family to stay over.
- My home and my wishes will be respected when putting in adaptations.
- I’ll have unlimited access to venues and locations. Leisure, public sector and community buildings will be better designed, eg. guide dogs will be allowed in leisure centres, and there will be more disabled lifts in swimming pools.
- Building planners and developers will realise that ‘open plan’ doesn’t work for people with hearing problems, and ‘listed’ doesn’t have to mean ‘inaccessible’.
- There’ll be consistent, flexible, accessible and well-staffed community and public transport provision, which is cross-boundary.
- Trams and electric cars will have to make a noise.
Next: Appendix 2: Draft Access All Areas (best practice standards)