 20 October 2008
The Disabled Children Matter Wales (DCMW) campaign are disappointed that the Welsh Assembly Government have not done more in the draft budget to improve the lives of disabled children in Wales.
The campaign welcomes WAG's investment in a programme of benefit advice which will be a real help to families with disabled children who are amongst those hardest hit by the current financial crisis.
The continued commitment to short breaks and inclusive play are also welcome BUT do not begin to go far enough to give disabled children and young people an equal chance in Wales.
The DCMW campaign is disappointed that the positive progress made by the Rights Into Action for Disabled Children Task Group, focussing on the delivery of existing WAG commitments and developing an Agenda for Action to be launched in December has not been backed with a comprehensive funding package over the next two years.
The campaign is very concerned that the current level of investment will not meet the Ministers stated intention to transform the lives of disabled children across Wales. We call for an independent impact assessment of the initiatives announced by Ministers to make sure that the money will make a difference to families on the ground.
DCMW would hope that the WAG will be able to do more to inspire disabled children and their families in Wales in the future.
Lee Ellery, Young disabled person
"Young disabled people across Wales will look at this draft budget and wonder what will this mean for us. Those who have been involved in giving evidence to various WAG committees in recent years will be thinking where is the investment to back the promises made. When we ask for the services we need, we are always told that there is not enough funding, this was a chance for WAG to make a difference and they have let us down. "
Julie OConnor, Parent
"Services for disabled children in Wales still lag far behind those for other children. The few services we have operate on a shoe string and families often have to fight to get any support at all. Parents have been pushing for a better deal from the Welsh Assembly Government and it is very disappointing that the draft budget has not gone further to address the problems families face on the ground. "
DCMW Steering Group (Jim Crowe Director Learning Disability Wales, Lynne Hill Policy Director Children in Wales, Keith Bowen Manager Contact a Family Wales, Liz Neal Director Mencap Cymru)
"The voluntary sector has been working hard with the WAG over recent months to plan a way forward for disabled children, it is disheartening that the draft budget, which aims to target those that need it most contains so little for disabled children and their families in Wales. We welcome the progress made but this is not the long term funding package we were hoping for.
The Rights Into Action Task Group for Disabled Children has made progress, focussing on the delivery of existing WAG commitments and developing a clear plan of action to be published in December, it is a shame that the draft budget has not fully backed these positive developments."
DCMW is urging everyone who cares about disabled children to show their support by signing up to the campaign and find out about other ways to get involved. |
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