1. Centres for Independent Living Paul Swann Policy Officer (Independent Living)

2. Disability Wales DW is the national association of Disabled People’s Organisations, striving to achieve rights, equality and independence for all disabled people. DW is an independent, not for profit organisation established in 1972 which is run and controlled by disabled people and their organisations. DW’s core role is to reflect the views of Disabled People’s Organisations to government with the aim of informing and influencing policy.

3. The Social Model of Disability DW’s policy development work is underpinned by the Social Model of Disability which recognises that people are disabled more by poor design, inaccessible services and other people's attitudes than by their impairment or health condition. This contrasts with the Medical Model which views the impairment or health condition as the primary cause of disability. The Welsh Government adopted the Social Model in 2002.

4. Independent Living “Independent Living enables us as disabled people to achieve our own goals and live our own lives in the way that we choose for ourselves” (DW, 2010) Independent Living does not mean that as disabled people we should have to live in isolation, do everything for ourselves or be completely independent of services. It means: Removing the barriers that prevent our full social and economic participation in mainstream society Having the same freedom, choice, control and opportunities as any other citizen – at home, at work and in the community.

5. Centres for Independent Living Provide support to enable people to make choices and have control - helping people to self-assess their needs - support to use direct payments - advocacy, support for self-advocacy & peer support -advice and information Provide services to meet people’s needs - assistance in recruiting and employing personal assistants - employment support Help other organisations to provide services which empower people - enabling involvement in service development and provision - campaigning for Independent Living.

6. Services · Payroll · Recruitment Support · I.L.F. Support Scheme · Client Account Management · CRB Disclosure Service · P.A. & Volunteer TrainingPayrollRecruitment SupportI.L.F. Support SchemeClient Account ManagementCRB Disclosure ServiceP.A. & Volunteer Training Direct Payments · Direct Payments SupportDirect Payments Support Personal Assistant Work · Applying for a PA JobApplying for a PA Job Advocacy · Advocacy at Dewis C.I.L. · Citizen Advocacy at Dewis C.I.L · Independent AdvocacyAdvocacy at Dewis C.I.L.Citizen Advocacy at Dewis C.I.LIndependent Advocacy P.A. & Volunteer Training · Training CalendarTraining Calendar Information Leaflets Appendix 5.6, Bridging the Gap www.dewiscil.org.uk

7. Paul Swann Policy Officer (Independent Living) Disability Wales paul.swann@disabilitywales.org www.disabilitywales.org 02920 887325 paul.swann@disabilitywales.org www.disabilitywales.org