“We are striving to achieve sustainable development goals for disabled people across Wales,” says Minister
"Rydyn ni'n ymdrechu i gyflawni nodau datblygu cynaliadwy ar gyfer pobl anabl ledled Cymru," meddai'r Gweinidog.
Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip Jane Hutt has reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to reaching targets aiming to improve the lives of disabled people living in Wales.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out an ambitious agenda for transforming the world for people, planet, and prosperity by 2030.
Wales is the only nation – so far – to have translated the UN Sustainable Development Goals into law.
The theme of this year’s International Day of Disabled People (December 3) is: "United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities".
Speaking during a visit to Disability Wales and British Deaf Association offices to mark International Day of Disabled People, the Minister said:
“We share this ambition to achieve sustainable development goals for disabled people across Wales. We have built them into our decision making and they influenced our drafting of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
“We are making decisions in the interests of both current and future generations and drawing on the talents of everyone to enable our nation to flourish.”
She added: “Visiting Disability Wales and British Deaf Association has been an opportunity to meet staff at both organisations who are striving to dismantle barriers experienced by disabled people across Wales.
“It has been a privilege to hear about how they are supporting disabled people and how they have embedded the Social Model of Disability into their work.”
Rhian Davies from Disability Wales said: “We are pleased to see the Welsh Government joining the international community in championing the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Sustainable Development Goals and the aims of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People are vital in ensuring that we achieve full equality for disabled people in Wales.”
She added: “Today has been a great opportunity to meet the Minister and discuss our role in advocating for the rights of disabled people through a pandemic and now a cost of living crisis, whilst also striving for a more inclusive Wales which guarantees independent living for all.”
Rebecca Mansell of British Deaf Association (BDA) added: “We are honoured and delighted to have the Minister visit us today. Our Deaf Community in Wales continues to be oppressed due to widespread barriers in accessing information and communication in British Sign Language (BSL).
“As the national representative organisation for BSL under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the BDA advocates for equality and rights for the Welsh Deaf Community.”
The Disability Rights Taskforce was set up in 2021 following the ‘Locked Out: Liberating disabled people’s lives and rights in Wales beyond COVID-19’ report.
The Taskforce’s purpose is to define key goals and the actions required to achieve improvements, which Welsh Government, the wider public service and disabled people will work together to deliver.
The taskforce is made up of various working groups, which explore the challenges disabled people face and works towards our ambition of a more equal Wales. All the reports published from the working groups are co-produced with disabled people.
Notes to editors
Pic captions:
- Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip Jane Hutt with Disability Wales and British Deaf Association staff
- Sbarc/Spark offices in Cardiff where Disability Wales and British Deaf Association are based
The theme of the 2023 International Day of Disabled People is: "United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with and by persons with disabilities".
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled People was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of disabled people. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of disabled people in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The main programme of the observance of the International Day of Disabled People at the UN Headquarters in New York will include the Opening, panel discussions and cultural events. Member States, civil society organisations and the private sector are welcome to organise their own events to celebrate the International Day to raise awareness and promote the rights and perspectives of disabled people around the world.
The Taskforce brings together people with lived experience, Welsh Government Policy Leads and representative organisations to identify the issues and barriers that affect the lives of many disabled people. The Taskforce established a prioritisation group to identify the key priorities for its programme of work to be addressed through the development of working groups. The following workstreams have been identified as priority areas for the programme of work:
- Embedding and Understanding of the Social Model of Disability (across Wales)
- Access to Services (including Communications and Technology)
- Independent Living: Social Care
- Independent Living: Health
- Travel
- Employment and Income
- Affordable and Accessible Housing
- Children and Young People
- Access to Justice
- Wellbeing