Here are the points that we would like to be considered.

1.  Discrimination in many areas if you need support; under funded and charged twice because you need someone with you; and

2.  lack of fairness in accessing housing benefit if you need 24hr care.

  Housing benefit is paid at a rate set by the government, very low. Prohibiting access to general housing.

  A disabled adult under 25 can only access in the region of £70 pw to rent a property. Anyone who needs extra space because of a carer in the house will probably not have it funded, thus excluding severely disabled people from accessing appropriately sized mainstream housing.

  Severely disabled people enjoy accessing the community just like anyone else, but not only are they excluded from many settings due to poor access, they have to pay for themselves and for a carer to gain entry.

  Local authorities are continually financially squeezed and either cannot or do not make funds available to employ appropriate levels of care, and are certainly unlikely to fund a carer's expenses so that they can share in activities (incl. Holidays) with the person they care for.

  These matters reflect how people with a learning disability continue to be excluded from accessing community-based resources, not only through stigma, but also by lack of the financial means that would help realise a more inclusive society.

Christopher Ball

Community Nurse Manager/Team Co-ordinator

17 May 2007