Disability

Disability equality is a vital part of our work and we are determined to provide accessible information and services for our community. By promoting equality and diversity and delivering inclusive services to our residents and visitors. We will deliver our vision of becoming one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone.

Number of people who are permanently sick or disabled (by locality)

Locality	Number of permanently sick or disabled	Percentage of population
South West	3,234	9.4
North West	2,802	8.5
North East and Central	2,100	5
South East	1,868	7.14
Plympton	895	4.8
Plymstock	756	4.4
Total	11,655	6.7

Source: Socio-economic data from the 2001 Census, Health Atlas, Plymouth Health Development Unit, February 2004.

Number of people who have long term illness (by locality)

Locality	Number of long term illness	Percentage of population
South West	11,162	23.5
North West	11,135	19.6
North East and Central	10,340	22.3
South East	7,277	20
Plympton	4,992	19.4
Plymstock	4,693	19
Total	49,545	20.6

Source: Socio-economic data from the 2001 Census, Health Atlas, Plymouth Health Development Unit, February 2004

Types and occurrences (estimated) of some disabilities in Plymouth

• Learning disability - 2,800
• Deaf and hard of hearing - 36,660
• Dual sensory impairment (deaf/blind) - 98
• Visual impairment - 4,073
• Severe head injuries – 180 people attending casualty per year
• Stroke – 587 diagnosed per year
• Multiple sclerosis – 244 to 293

Source: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Mental health issues in Plymouth

• 30,000 people in Plymouth will have some form of mental health issue
• 16,000 will have mixed anxiety and depression
• 7,800 will have generalised anxiety
• 3,200 will have depression alone
• 960 will have obsessive compulsive disorder
• 1,300 will have panic disorder
• 3,200 will have a phobia
• 16,000 to 20,800 will have a personality disorder
• Five per cent of people over 65 and 10 to 20 per cent of people over 80 will have some form of dementia

Source: Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Our Disability Equality Scheme ended in 2009 and we achieved 93.9% of the targets. The remaining targets have been added to our Equality Scheme 2008 to 2011.

We have adopted and work to the social model of disability and continue to work with many partners and stakeholders to ensure the best delivery of services for people with disabilities.

We provide services and support to vulnerable children, young people, adults and their families and carers. You can find information about how Plymouth City Council supports and assists people who cannot manage alone due to severe illness, frailty, disability or vulnerability on the social care and health pages.