Principles of Independent Living
The following six principles should guide the planning, commissioning and provision of all support for older people at a strategic level.
Principle 1 – Increase voice
Older disabled people need voice in order to have choice and control. Click on the link above for more information about what can help to increase voice – both for individuals and for older people as a group.
Principle 2 – Ensure equal access
Older disabled people experience unequal access to many services. This acts as a barrier to choice and control. Click on the link above for more information about the types of discrimination that get in the way and what to do about them.
Principle 3 – Enable choice and control
Older disabled people should have choice and control over the support they need to live their everyday lives. Click on the link above for more information about choice and control over housing options, aids and adaptations, care services, transport, education and employment.
Principle 4 – Enable participation
Participation in family, community and civic life is an important goal for older disabled people. All of the above principles should lead to this. Click on the link above for more information.
Principle 5 – Join it up strategically
Professionals working at a strategic level have particular responsibility for making sure that policies and initiatives fit together in a strategic way – at national, regional and local level. Click on the link above for more information.
Principle 6 – Promote a new way of thinking
At the broadest level, a different ‘demographic dialogue’ about older people is needed – one that reflects the realities, not just the fears, of population ageing and one that proactively plans for the changes ahead. Click on the link above for more information.