A choice between freedom or 4 walls?

We think that maintaining an independent life doesn't end when a person enters residential care.

The Government has recently proposed that the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component be removed from those in publicly funded residential care. This will leave many without the opportunity to do things like lease specially adapted vehicles from the Motability Scheme, or pay for accessible transport to get out in their community.

The Government says that the funding provided by local authorities for someone's care duplicates the funding provided by the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). But limited arrangements made by care homes or local authorities are no substitution to the freedom offered by mobility DLA.

Against a background of savage cuts to local authority budgets, it's highly unlikely that councils will step in with new funding for accessible transport. So these changes could mean that many people will be left restricted to live their lives within 4 walls.

We recently wrote to Maria Miller, Minister for Disabled People (PDF file) to object to the Government's plan, set out in October's Comprehensive Spending Review.

If you think that you might be affected by these changes, you can take action. Please write to your local MP about the issue, and ask them to urgently take the matter up with the Minister for Disabled People.

You can also encourage your MP to sign the Early Day Motion 1000 to protest about the changes.

Post your comments here or email our Campaigns team at campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk

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