Comments on: Labour candidates talk about the hearth http://waleshome.org/2009/10/labour-candidates-talk-about-the-hearth/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Keith Bowen http://waleshome.org/2009/10/labour-candidates-talk-about-the-hearth/comment-page-1/#comment-1458 Keith Bowen Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:43:08 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=3990#comment-1458 It was interesting to note the similarities in the three candidates' policies on children and families earlier this week; focussing on child poverty, looked-after children, child care and flexible working. All important issues, but for those of us who have been campaigning for some time on improving the lives of disabled children and young people in Wales it was a little disappointing to see that none of the candidates made any reference to the specific needs of disabled children and their families. In response to the Disabled Children Matter Wales campaign the Welsh Assembly Government produced "We are on the way - a policy agenda to transform the lives of disabled Children and Young People" back in December 2008. The DCMW campaign has highlighted how for disabled children and young people government policy has rarely resulted in real improvements in the long standing problems they face accessing the same everyday opportunities as other children and young people. If disabled children and young people have truly achieved a higher profile on the policy agenda in recent years it would be useful to hear more from the candidates about how, as Labour leader, they would further the ideals of social justice for this particular group of children. Keith Bowen Manager Contact a Family Wales It was interesting to note the similarities in the three candidates’ policies on children and families earlier this week; focussing on child poverty, looked-after children, child care and flexible working.

All important issues, but for those of us who have been campaigning for some time on improving the lives of disabled children and young people in Wales it was a little disappointing to see that none of the candidates made any reference to the specific needs of disabled children and their families.

In response to the Disabled Children Matter Wales campaign the Welsh Assembly Government produced “We are on the way – a policy agenda to transform the lives of disabled Children and Young People” back in December 2008. The DCMW campaign has highlighted how for disabled children and young people government policy has rarely resulted in real improvements in the long standing problems they face accessing the same everyday opportunities as other children and young people.

If disabled children and young people have truly achieved a higher profile on the policy agenda in recent years it would be useful to hear more from the candidates about how, as Labour leader, they would further the ideals of social justice for this particular group of children.

Keith Bowen
Manager
Contact a Family Wales

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