The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has launched a consultation looking at proposals that could dramatically change the way in which disabled people live their lives. The Right to Control policy proposes to radically alter the way in which disabled people can use state funding. Disabled people will have the option of choosing who delivers services to them and how these are received, and will be able to have as much or as little control over this as they choose.

For instance, in the current situation, some local authorities may currently only offer limited access to a daycare centre and a specific employment programme. Under the new initiative, a disabled person should be able to choose how they receive care, whether this is through a daycare centre, at home, for leisure opportunities, or a combination of all of these.

Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: ‘Disabled people know more about their own lives than anyone else, and the Right to Control will give them the power to decide what support they need and who should provide it. We've involved disabled people in developing this policy and we hope to get as much feedback as possible from individuals and from disabled people's organisations – and we encourage them to hold their own consultation events.’

Right to Control will be tested in 2010 in selected local authority areas in England. Prior to this, anyone with an interest in the initiative can help shape it by responding to the consultation. The ODI is creating a toolkit that will enable disability organisations to involve disabled people in their consultation response or organise their own consultation event. This will be available from 30 June.

Further information on the Right to Control consultation and accompanying toolkit can be found on the ODI website.