On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd December 2012, Caroline Spelman, MP for Meriden, celebrated the contribution that disabled people make to our country. The cross-government disability strategy – Fulfilling Potential – includes a number of measures to support the contribution disabled people make to society:
· A Role models campaign to help inspire young disabled people to fulfil their potential.
· Setting up the Disability Action Alliance, which will take practical actions to improve the lives of disabled people by asking local groups to get involved.
· £3 million funding for Disabled Peoples User-Led Organisations (DPULOs) to play a pivotal role in making sure disabled people have their voices heard at every level.
· A new Paralympics Legacy Advisory Group to help ensure that a strong legacy for disabled people is embedded in the legacy programme.
Commenting, Caroline said: “After a summer that saw the Paralympic Games completely change the perception of disabled people across the country, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities gave us all a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution that disabled people make to society.
“Conservatives in Government are committed to this year’s theme - removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all – and through our role models campaign and funding for disabled peoples user-led organisations we can create this society. As with all special days, let’s hope that the message is continued throughout the year. You can read more about this issue on the United Nations website: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597.”