Disabled people need a voice. From inaccessible environments and discrimination in employment to prejudice and hate crime and cuts in support for independent living there has to be Nothing About Us Without Us.
There has been a gap in a voice for disabled people for some 15 years in this locality since the Cleveland Disability Forum finished in 2007.
Update – May 2024
Under the auspices of MVDA, work has commenced to establish the phased development of a Voice for Disabled People. A group met on 15 April 2024 and was comprised of Voluntary Sector Organisations, Health and Social Care representatives, Teesside University and disabled people themselves. It was clear from this meeting that the term Deaf and Disabled Persons Organisation (DDPO) was not commonly understood, however, a Voice for disabled people resonated across different organisations and groups.
More importantly, a clear focus will be put on engaging with disabled people who have different impairments, who face different barriers, who come from different communities, who have different experiences and who face discrimination on a number of levels e.g. race, gender, sexuality and transgender discrimination.
It is a priority to commence co-production work with these disabled people so that they are given the time, space, skills and support to control of the development of this Voice from the start.
MVDA is being asked to consider appropriate staffing support and to offer advice on funding, legal structures and networking opportunities.
Link to blog posts from MVDA on a voice for disabled people
Creating a Deaf and Disabled Persons Organisation in South Tees
2 November 2023 - 3:21pm
Universal Credit – support for Managed Migration in Teesside
8 February 2024 - 2:32pm
Where have all the disabled people gone?
11 September 2017 - 2:59pm
Illness, responsibility and style
12 May 2017 - 11:58am