The Conservative Disability Group (CDG) welcomes today’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities as an opportunity to welcome the significant progress that has already been made to ensure disabled people in this country - and internationally - have the freedom to live their lives in the way they choose – but also to recognise that while much has been achieved in so many areas, there is still plenty of scope to achieve so much more.
We have previously written on the CDG website about the many policies the Conservative Government have put in place to help improve the lives of disabled people in the United Kingdom in spheres such as transport, health and employment for example. The CDG welcomes these various areas of improvements, and we are ambitious to see more progress and improvements in the future, based upon empowering disabled people and tackling prejudice and discrimination in society.
Today as we celebrate International Day of Disabilities we welcome today’s launch by the Department for International Development of the Disability Inclusion Strategy, to ensure that the UK’s commitment to transform the lives of disabled people in the field of international development reaches those who need it most. This is a very positive move and one that will be welcomed across the international development sector and shows the extent to which the UK continues to be a global leader as we meet our commitments on sustainable development.
Today is also an opportunity to celebrate the #PurpleLightUp movement, which has been spear headed by Channel Four and its partner organisations - BT, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyd's of London, Nationwide, Reed Smith, Scope and Virgin Media – to ensure more businesses recognise the value of the purple pound and the spending power of disabled consumers; and to ensure more businesses recognise the talents and skills of disabled employees in their workforces.
The Government’s Disability Confident scheme is working with thousands of employers across the country to ensure even more disabled people have opportunities for employment, successful careers and to live more independent lives.
Today as we celebrate this important day we recognise the progress we are making both in the UK and internationally – and we are ambitious to achieve so much more.