Priorities for people with a disability, their families and carers

46. When we asked people with disabilities and their families and carers about what was important to them, they told us they wanted:

• more flexibility of support, to learn, enjoy and achieve in life and make genuine friends
• reassurance that support will be made available for carers when they need a break
• genuine choice and control in everyday life, just like everyone else including ultimate choice and control over how the money allocated to them is spent
• better information around the support they may be able to access
• transparency and greater understanding of what services and support cost
• to be genuinely involved and listened to
• to feel genuinely supported by the council and providers during the shift towards self-directed support
• to have well paid work opportunities (with support where required), as opposed to minimum wage or voluntary work, with an increased disposable income
• to have support:
  • to make friends, be part of group activities and to do things together as a family
  • to live an ordinary life, playing and learning alongside friends within their communities
  • to make a smooth transition to adult life
  • provided flexibly to respond to the fluctuating needs of illness and impairment
• to have opportunity
  • to choose their care and support provider and staff
  • for support during the 24-hour day including at evening time
  • to try things and see what works best, with simple solutions where possible
  • for families to carry on or return to work
  • access to personal assistants to help support with day opportunities, through personal budgets and direct payments
• to avoid losing touch with their peers where building-based services have been re-provided and local opportunities to meet and socialise with others
• to feel safe, free from abuse, harassment and crime and included within their community such as Citizenship Watch Scheme, Changing Places, increased wheelchair access and with less people abusing disabled facilities
• people and their families want a voice, to be valued, to be supported in developing their confidence, self-esteem and to be seen in a positive light
• opportunities to make genuine connections with their communities and genuinely to be part of our community

47. When we asked people about what they want from their accommodation, they told us they wanted:

• genuine choice and control over where they live, who they live with, whether they live alone or in friendship groups, a reasonable amount of time to make the transition from existing accommodation setting to new and more types of accommodation available
• a quicker and more simplified process to find suitable accommodation with less 'red tape' and fewer professionals involved in the move
• accessible accommodation that is big and adaptable enough, so they can have their own space or use a communal space and stay in the same place as they get older.
• support and security in respect of their accommodation choice, such as secure tenure, with help managing money and paying bills for their accommodation
• repairs done well and in a timely fashion by professional people.