This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for disability groups
24/02/2004
Projects that benefit disabled people across Scotland
received an extra boost of £1 million today from the
Scottish Executive.
The announcement came as Communities Minister
Margaret Curran appeared at the Equal Opportunities
Committee to talk about the outcomes of the European Year
of the Disabled People (EYDP) 2003. This was an EU
initiative to promote disability equality.
In addition, Ms Curran announced that follow up work
would include the publication of a report on EYDP and
consideration of recommendations of a Disability Working
Group.
The funding comprises:
• £525,000 to support local Access Panels. These are
groups which give advice across the country on disability
access issues in the built environment.
• £200,000 to help young disabled people get into
work through career advice and joint working between
employers and schools and colleges.
• £206,000 for 200 laptops for loan to disabled
people to widen access to the benefits of technology.
• And £80,000 to Inclusion Scotland to help further
develop the Executive's engagement with disabled people in
Scotland.
Ms Curran said: "The European Year of Disabled People
last year was a great success in Scotland, stimulating
debate and providing a focus for work on disability.
Working together with disability organisations, we have
delivered events, initiatives and projects which have
promoted disabled people's rights.
"And this work will continue. We must carry on giving
our full commitment to disabled people. That is why I am
announcing further funding to disabled groups: we are
increasing opportunities to help disabled people to play a
full and active part in society.
"In addition, we want to build on the momentum from
EYDP. We will publish a report in the spring on the lessons
learned from last year, and a Disability Working Group will
be established to consider the report and come up with
recommendations for future action. And next year we want
to host a large event to celebrate the contribution of
disabled people and ensure our continued engagement with
disabled people across the country."
The European Year of Disabled People 2003 was an EU
initiative. The EYDP Scottish Steering Group includes
representatives from the Disability Rights Commission,
Capability Scotland, Deafblind Scotland, Enable, Inclusion
Scotland, RNIB, SCVO, Scottish Council on Deafness,
Scottish Disability Equality Forum, Sense Scotland, STUC,
UPDATE and CoSLA.
The make up of the Disability Working Group will be
announced in the Spring.
The money awarded to Access Panels will go directly to
the network across Scotland help to build capacity and
develop services for their communities. The funding is for
2003-2004.
DARE (Disability and Rehabilitation Education) will run
the projects for transition into supported education and
employment which will bring a range of relevant providers
together to work in partnership with disabled people. The
£200,000 funding is over three years.
LEAD (Linking Education and Disability) Scotland will
provide accessible, specialist ICT equipment and support to
assist disabled people overcome barriers in accessing the
internet. This funding is for 2003-2004
Inclusion Scotland's funding is for 2004-2005.