disability-history-timeline-2013

Social advances1976A new cash benefit - the MobilityAllowance – is introduced to allowrecipients to choose the best way ofmeeting their mobility needs, whetherdriving a car, using taxis or getting amobility scooter.1985The first Centres for Independent Livingare established in the UK in Derbyshire andHampshire, allowing local disabled peoplechoice and control over their own support.1988The Independent Living Fund is set up toallow disabled people to continue living inthe community if they choose, rather thanmove into residential care.1992Disability Living Allowance is introduced.1999The Disability Rights Commission isestablished to investigate and enforcedisability legislation, and to adviseemployers on how to secure equaltreatment of disabled employees.2003The European Year of Disabled People.2003British Sign Language (BSL) is officiallyrecognised by the government as being afull, independent, language. This raises thestatus of BSL and leads to training moredeaf BSL tutors and interpreters.2005People with learning disabilities are givenhospital passports containing informationto enable hospital staff to treat themappropriately. It contains ‘red’ information,on issues such as how people express pain,important ‘amber’ information and ‘green’information on likes and dislikes.28