User:DisabilityWales

Disability Wales

Disability Wales is the national association of disabled people's organisations, striving to achieve the rights, equality and independence of disabled people in Wales .

Established	1972
Legal status	Charity
Chairperson	Wendy Ashton
Chief Executive	Rhian Davies
Region served	Wales
Location	Caerphilly, Wales
Website	www.disabilitywales.org

About Us

Disability Wales is an independent, not for profit organisation established in 1972. We are a membership organisation of disability groups and allies from across Wales

Our History

Our organisation was established in 1972 with the support of the Welsh Office as one of the committees of the Council for Social Service in Wales, now known as Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Disability Wales was originally called Wales Council for ‘the Disabled’. The focus of the organisation was issues relating to finance, employment, mobility, care services, access, education and recreation.

We launched the first access programme in 1973 which led to Wales’ first accessibility survey. The organisation separated from the Council for Social Services in Wales in 1976 and became an autonomous voluntary body. In addition to money raised via the organisation itself, funding was sourced from the Welsh office and local authorities. The first publicly accessible resource centre was opened in Caerphilly in 1978 followed by the establishment of SYD in 1979 .

The International Year of Disabled People in 1981 was a crucial landmark for many groups in Wales. It helped raise the profile of disabled people, not just as victims but as people who had rights and choices. The first UK Coalition of Disabled People formed in Derbyshire: It was run and controlled completely by disabled people. Many groups sprang up not just in the UK but also within Wales: many of our access groups started then . The first access committee for Wales was started in 1982. The focus was campaigning for Access Officers in each Local Authority & building regulations under the Disabled Persons’ Act of 1981 .

Other activities during the 80s included The United Nations Decade of Disabled Peoples conference . By the 1990’s, the organisation had ceased to provide direct services, such as providing aids and equipment, and began to discuss and debate the role of the Social Model of Disability as a positive way forward for disabled people in Wales . In 1990, the Disability Advice and information vehicle began touring Wales and guides to disability rights were published in partnership with HTV. The organisation changed its name in 1994 to Disability Wales. The remainder of the 90s saw focus on lobbying for legislation such as Direct Payments .

The membership at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2000 decided that Disability Wales should move towards become an organisation of disabled people and agreed that by the AGM of 2007 all voting members should be organisations & groups with a majority (51%) of disabled people in them. The ‘Enter Project’ was launched in 2001 and offered disabled people in Wales the opportunity to become self employed. The project offered support, training, workshops, development and local client advisors . In 2002, with support from Disability Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government adopted the Social Model of Disability as the foundation for its work on disability .

We celebrated European year of Disabled People in 2003. During that year, our members passed 6 resolutions that were key to the development of Disability Wales as an organisation of and not for disabled people. These were:

• The adoption of the Social Model of Disability with memorandums and articles.

• The adoption of the definition of a disabled person as:

one who on account of having a physical and/or sensory impairment, learning difficulty or mental health issue faces barriers due to attitudinal, societal and/or environmental factors.

• The agreement that Disability Wales should become an umbrella organisation of disabled people’s organisations.

• That from 2007 AGM onwards full membership including voting rights is open only to those organisations or groups where disabled people have a constitutional majority (51%) in their voting membership and where applicable on their Executive Committee or other governing body.

• That with immediate effect any individual nominated to and elected to the Disability Wales Executive Committee must be a disabled person.

• That with immediate effect the constitution shall state that any individual appointed to the office of Chief Executive of Disability Wales must be a disabled person

In 2007 we implementated the membership agreement so that all voting members should be organisations and groups with a majority (51%) of disabled people in them. Since this time, Disability Wales has developed to a unique position within Wales by championing the rights, equality and independence of all disabled people regardless of physical or sensory impairment, learning difficulty or mental health condition. We recognise that many disabled people have many identities and can face multiple-discrimination .

We work to the Social Model of Disability which recognises that people are disabled by poor design, inaccessible services and other people's attitudes than by their impairment. We are recognised as the lead organisation in Wales in promoting the understanding, adoption and implementation of the Social Model of Disability. We have provided a model to other disability organisations in Wales on how a traditional organisation set up for disabled people can transform itself to become one that is of disabled people. We work with all areas of government – local, Assembly, Westminster and Europe – developing policy, campaigning, lobbying, challenging .

Disabled People's Organisation

Disability Wales is a Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO). DPOs are run and controlled by disabled people and are also known as organisations ‘of’ disabled people. This distinguishes them from organisations ‘for’ disabled people where the latter are the beneficiaries of the charity’s funds and services but are largely absent from the strategic management of the organisation.

Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), the global umbrella body for national DPOs operates the following definition:

“a DPO is an organisation whose constitution requires it to have a membership and managing board with a majority of disabled people, and whose objectives are the rights and equality of disabled people” <>

Disability Wales recognises that as an organisation led by disabled people it sends a strong signal to policy makers. However, more importantly, it also shows other disabled people that they can take control and run an organisation .

Board of Directors

We are managed by a voluntary Board of Directors, elected and drawn from disabled people across Wales who are active in local and national disability organisations. Any person nominated and elected to the Board of Directors must be a disabled person .

Who funds us?

Our core funding is from the National Assembly for Wales under Section 64 of the Health Service and Public Health Act 1968 and Section 28B of the National Health Service Act 1977. The grant is on a three-year basis . We also receive funding via membership subscriptions .

Mission, aims and objectives 2008-11

Disability Wales promotes the rights, equality and independence of all disabled people.

Strategic aims

• To develop and support the work of organisations led by disabled people
• To be an effective advocate for the views, priorities and interests of our members
• To influence policy and decision makers at all levels
• To develop and deliver services that benefit disabled people

Operational objectives

• To provide skills, support and networking opportunities for members
• To provide information on relevant issues to members, professionals and the general public
• To campaign on relevant issues
• To participate in partnership panels, task groups and other relevant strategic groupings
• To run consultations on issues affecting disabled people
• To improve access for disabled people
• To work with all sectors to improve their services for disabled people
• To encourage participation in social/economic activity amongst disabled people
• To change attitudes and raise awareness through providing a range of training packages

Disability Wales Values

• Social Model of Disability
• Equality and Diversity
• Inclusive Society
• Valuing each individual and their potential
• Beacon of best practice
• Committed to quality

Models of Disability

Disability Wales aims to promote the understanding, adoption and implementation of the Social Model of Disability throughout Wales”

What disabled people in Wales say about the Social Model:

"The Social Model of Disability literally saved my life; after I understood what it was about it was my lifeline – it freed me up to be who I am."

"It puts the onus back on society to remove the barriers."

"It’s empowering; I can direct my energies into improving my quality of life."

Disabled people generally have fewer opportunities and a lower quality of life than non-disabled people. There are two different ways of explaining what causes this disadvantage: the Medical Model of Disability and the Social Model of Disability.

The Medical Model of Disability

Disabled people not joining in society is seen as a direct result of having an impairment and not as the result of features of our society which can be changed. Society focuses on ‘compensating’ people with impairments for what is ‘wrong’ with their bodies. This is done through ‘special’ welfare benefits and providing segregated ‘special’ services.

It shapes the way disabled people think about themselves. Many disabled people internalise the negative message that all disabled people’s problems stem from not having ‘normal’ bodies. We think it’s our fault that we can’t be active, or contribute to our communities. This internalised oppression can make disabled people less likely to challenge their exclusion from mainstream society.

The Social Model of Disability

The Social Model of Disability makes the important difference between ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’. The Social Model has been worked out by disabled people themselves. Our experiences have shown us that in reality most of the problems we face are caused by the way society is organised.

Our impairments or bodies are not the problem. Social barriers are the main cause of our problems. These barriers include people’s attitudes to disability, and physical and organisational barriers.

Medical model problem	Social model solution
Painful hands, unable to open jars, doors	Better designed lids, automatic doors
Difficulty in standing for long periods	More seats in public places
"Housebound" or "Confined to a wheelchair"	Badly designed buildings – need ramps and lifts in all buildings, also accessible transport/parking spaces
Other people won’t give you a job because they think you couldn’t do it	Educate people to look at disabled people’s knowledge and skills rather than looking for problems
Can’t hear or see	Recognition and use of sign language and Braille/raised letters.

In the Medical Model, the disabled person is placed at the centre of the "problem". Considered "defective" or "not normal", disabled people are often described or believed to be:

• unable to make decisions
• in need of a doctor or a cure
• always in need of help, sympathy and charity
• can never be equal to a non-disabled person

Much of this language is negative and does not describe the experience of disabled people. The Social Model is an alternate way of understanding access issues and social exclusion and sees the problem as a "disabling world". The Social Model explores why our society does not treat all its members as equal.

Definition of ‘disability’

Impairment

An injury, illness, or congenital condition that causes or is likely to cause a long-term effect on physical appearance and / or limitation of function within the individual that differs from the commonplace.

Disability

The loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in society on an equal level with others due to social and environmental barriers. Disability is shown as being caused by ‘barriers’ or elements of social organisation which take no or little account of people who have impairments.

Society is shown to disable people who have impairments because the way it has been set up prevents us from taking part in everyday life. It follows that if disabled people are to be able to join in mainstream society, the way society is organised must be changed. Removing the barriers which exclude (and disable) people who have impairments can bring about this change.

Disability Wales is campaigning and working to remove all disabling barriers in Wales

Policy

Disability Wales influences policy development at local, national and international level on various policy initiatives, which affect the lives of disabled people for example, employment & skills; health & social care; transport; housing and more.

As well as external policy work Disability Wales produces policies on specific issues. These outline the organisations views on a specific subject matter and further demands for equality. All internal policies are written in consultation with our members and agreed at AGM.

Published Policies

The following policies have been published and they are available to download under the resources section of our [1]

• The Social Model of Disability
• Independent Living - equipment services
• Independent Living - personal assistance
• Independent Living - assessment criteria
• Self Directed Support - individualised budgets
• Accessible Housing
• Equal Access within the Built Environment
• Enterprise
• Multiple Discrimination & Identity
• Welfare Reform
• Environmental Policy

Activities

Disability Wales leads campaigns, lobbying and influencing policy makers to bring about positive change for disabled people in Wales.

The organisation is actively involved in both partnerships and networks with other organisations in order to progress the disability equality agenda. More information on our campaigns, Projects, consultation and partnership can be found on our [2]

Membership

Disability Wales is the national association of disabled people's organisations in Wales. We strive for the rights, equality and independence or all disabled people.

What do we do?

• We develop and support the work of organisations led by disabled people
• We advocate the views, priorities and interests of our members
• We influence policy and decision makers at all levels
• We develop and deliver services that benefit disabled people

Benefits to becoming a member

Benefits of becoming a member of Disability Wales include:

• FREE membership pack
• FREE membership directory
• Access to members bursary scheme (expenses and support)
• Monthly DW enews
• Consultation, events and briefings
• Access to membership section of Disability wales website
• Training and networking opportunities
• Group development sessions
• Campaign events and support packs
• Focus groups, events and seminars
• Annual conference and general meeting
• Participation in discussion panels and task groups on disabled people's issues
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Who can join Disability Wales?

Membership of Disability Wales is open to all organisations and individuals who support the aims & objectives of the organisation. We have 5 types of membership:

• Full Members: this category is open to Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO’S) who have a constitutional requirement to have a majority of disabled people in their membership and management committee.

• Associate Disability Groups: this category is open to disability groups who have no constitutional requirement to have a majority of disabled people on either their membership or management committee.

• Associate Non Disability Groups: this category is open to groups who support disabled people as part of the work they are involved in, including town and community councils.

• Statutory & Professional members: This category is open to groups or organisations that provide services to disabled people.

• Individual members: this category is open to any individual who would like to be a part of Disability Wales

Training and Consultancy

Disability Wales is able to provide bespoke Disability Equality Training.

Disability Equality Training (DET)

DET is designed to...

• promote disability as an Equality Issue

Disability is too often regarded as a health or "care" issue. This medical perspective focuses on what is "wrong" with a disabled person rather than the barriers society erects, preventing real equality and promoting a passive/helpless image of disability.

• examine the root causes of exclusion and discrimination

The problems facing disabled people are far more likely to be caused by the way places and services are designed than by a person’s impairment.

• question stereotypes, myths and misconceptions about disability

There are so many commonly held 'truths' about disability that are simply unfounded. DET addresses the attitudes based on these misconceptions

• promote communication between disabled and non-disabled people

When was the last time you talked - and listened! - to a disabled person' All DET tutors are disabled people.

• promote change both in policy and practice

Positive attitudes towards disability should mean positive policies. Traditional ways of designing and providing a service may no longer be appropriate. More effective, accessible practices are constantly being refined. DET offers the best of current good practice.

DET is not about ...

• making non-disabled people feel guilty

DET is intended to make you feel positive about getting things right, not guilty about the way things have been done wrong in the past.

• disabled people recounting their life story

Entertaining though some stories are, we don’t think anecdotal histories help you understand the causes of oppression and exclusion to disabled people as a group.

• simulating physical or sensory impairments

We believe this is patronising. Sitting in a wheelchair or wearing greasy glasses for half an hour may be an "experience" but its temporary nature teaches you nothing of the reality of physical impairment and "playing at disability" is insulting to disabled people.

• describing different impairments

Everybody is different. People experience their impairments in different ways. The physical or sensory nature of impairments is not the problem. The environmental and attitudinal barriers imposed through ignorance or design by the rest of society cause the problem.

A DET tutor is a disabled person trained and experienced in the knowledge, skills and values necessary to deliver DET courses to a wide range of participants.

Contact Us

Address: Disability Wales, Bridge House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly CF83 3GW

Tel: 029 20887325

Fax: 029 20888702

email: info@disabilitywales.org

Website: www.disabilitywales.org

External links

• example.com