Rebecca Whelan, Deputy CEO for Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, has been asked to assist with a ‘Disability Inclusive Scrutiny Review’ by Stockton Borough Council (SBC).
The vision for the borough set out in the council plan is that Stockton-on-Tees will be ‘a place where people are healthy, safe and protected from harm’ and ‘a place with a thriving economy where everyone has opportunities to succeed’.
This review will explore how Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council can contribute to a more disability inclusive borough.
Disabled people have been one of the most disproportionately affected groups by Covid-19 and going forward, it is important they are no longer marginalised and have equal opportunities to participate in the social, cultural, and economic activities within the borough.
In the UK, approximately 1 in 5 people have a disability. If disabled people faced less barriers, the social and economic well-being of the area is likely to improve.
Potential outcomes from this review could include better engagement with disability groups to understand barriers disabled people face going forward and a process for the council to consider and implement recommendations from these groups.
Where relevant, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council could also champion disability inclusion in its partnership work with its public, private and voluntary sector stakeholders.
To ensure that Rebecca best represents the views of children and young people with disabilities and their families, it would be helpful if you could take the time to complete the survey below