INDEPENDENT LIVING FUND
Since very soon after it began, CIL has been lobbying for the establishment of an Independent Living Fund.
This would basically be a secure, consumer-controlled fund that people with disabilities would use in order to employ Personal Assistants (PA's).
"Secure" means that it would be permanent and put in place by government so that we, people with disabilities, could lead the normal lives that we want to live.
"Consumer-controlled" means that it would be controlled by us, people with disabilities, its users.
The key features of this fund would be:
|
1 That the purpose of it would be to enable people with disabilities to employ PA's and so achieve Independent Living, i.e. to take control of our own lives |
|
2 That it would be specifically and exclusively for the employment of PA's, i.e. it is for people who are committed to Independent Living and who want to be active and independent. |
|
3 That it would be controlled by people with disabilities. |
|
4 That it be developed with the true involvement of people with disabilities. |
|
5 That funds be administered by an independent National Board of Trustees made up of people with disabilities and other relevant personnel. |
|
6 That the service be tailor-made to suit individuals requirements, including; (a) Hours of assistance; (b) Type of assistance; (c) Type and variety of settings. |
|
7 That personal assistance be developed as a fully recognized, independent and important career with appropriate pay for PA's which directly relates to their level of training and experience. |
|
8 That funding be phased in over a 3 -5 year period commencing now. |
|
9 That key Government Departments be involved in financing the Independent Living Fund, including Health, Social Welfare, Enterprise and Employment and Education, |
Centre for Indepedant Living Movement