Disability Unit

Research commissioned by the Cabinet Office Disability Unit and conducted by NatCen examines how disabled people’s needs and experiences in the UK could evolve over 5, 10 and 20 years. It uses speculative world-building exercises with 12 disabled people’s organisations rather than making predictions. Participants identified increased public-service funding, adoption of the Social Model of Disability, stronger enforcement of the Equality Act 2010, inclusive assistive technology and AI, greater representation of disabled people in leadership and public life, and direct involvement in decision-making as key enablers of a more equitable future. Education and improved public awareness were also highlighted as necessary to challenge discrimination and negative perceptions of disabled people.