Last chance to help shape the lives of disabled people in Staffordshire

Local people in Staffordshire have less than a week to respond to a survey on services for disabled and neurodivergent people in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) are asking people how they can support them to live independent and fulfilling lives for as long as possible.

Their views will be used to inform a new joint Staffordshire Disability and Neurodiversity Strategy.

The strategy will focus on helping disabled or neurodivergent people—whatever their age—to live their best lives.

People can give their views by completing an online survey at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Staffsdnplan, but they only have until January 8 to do so.

The survey is targeted at individuals with lived experience, their carers or family members and also any professional, organisation or employee coming into contact with disabled or neurodivergent people.

Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Care Julia Jessel said: “We’re putting together a strategy that will look at what everyone can do to put people with disabilities and neurodivergence at the centre of everything we all do in Staffordshire. We want to help everyone to remain as independent as they can and be able to live their best lives for as long as possible.

“To do this, we need as many views from people with ‘lived experience’ of disability and neurodivergence as possible. Our survey explores people’s quality of live and asks them what key things they think they need to help them and other disabled or neurodivergent people achieve their goals.”

All feedback from the survey will be considered when putting together the draft strategy. People can also access printed copies of the survey in large text and Easy Read if needed.

Dr Paul Edmondson Jones, Chief Medical Officer for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, stated “We are passionate about improving the lives of those who are neurodivergent as they face multiple challenges daily that can take away from the quality of their lives.”

“It is important that we make a difference and create positive change and, by taking time to fill out this survey, it will help us get a clearer understanding on what are the best next steps to take.”