Representatives from interested organisations met in March 2007 to consider whether a campaign should be launched in Wales to promote the rights of disabled children, and to identify possible issues. This will mirror the ‘Every Disabled Child Matters’ campaign in England. Those attending the meeting were united in supporting a campaign.  Consultations have also taken place elsewhere, including with the Young Disabled Persons Network and the Disabled Children’s Policy Group.

The first priority of the ‘Disabled Children Matter Wales’ campaign will be to see the new Welsh Assembly Government inject more cash to allow more access by disabled children to critically important support services. 

A recent announcement in Westminster by Ministers will ensure that an extra £340 million is spent on disabled children in England over the next 3 years.  In line with the ‘Barnett Formula’, an additional cash sum equal to some 6-8% of the English budget will come to Wales and the Assembly will decide what to do with it.  Disabled Children Matter Wales will be campaigning to see that this money is all spent on disabled children in Wales.

The core organisations steering the day to day work of the campaign will be Children in Wales, Contact a Family, Mencap Cymru, the Young Disabled Persons Network and Learning Disability Wales.

For further information on the campaign, please visit the campaign website: www.dcmw.org.uk

Alternatively, please contact Lynne Hill, Policy Director, or Cath Lewis, Development Officer, Children in Wales, Tel: 029 2034 2434