Making a difference as disabled people in York
At the request of York Independent Living Network, we’re supporting the development of a disabled person-led forum for anyone living or working in York who identifies as disabled or as having a disability. We aim to ensure that the Forum is led by, and open to, people and allies from right across a range of experiences such as those with:
- physical and sensory impairments
- learning disabilities
- mental ill-health
- chronic illness
- other health related issues
What the Forum will do
We expect that over time the shape and purpose of the Forum will change under the influence of its members. But for now we’ve outlined the following provisional aims:
- Be disabled people-led, activist, accessible and inclusive
- Be underpinned by the social model of disability
- Uphold a human rights-based approach
- Provide a space for disabled people and their allies to come together, both face-to-face and through other routes
- Decide what issues are a priority locally and what actions can be taken collectively
Get involved – we need you!
For individuals and organisations there are many ways to get involved:
Sign up to receive email updates
To keep up to date with the Forum sign up to our mailing list below. You can expect to hear about:
- how the Forum is developing
- activities and events
- opportunities to share your ideas, experiences and views
Join our advisory group
Contribute to shaping and guiding the Forum. This includes figuring out the priorities, logistics, activities and other important issues.
One of the first jobs for the Advisory Group will be to work out how the Group itself will be run, including all the ‘hows’ and ‘whens’ of communication between members. Your experience and input is invaluable!
To join or learn more get in touch with us at yorkdisabilityrights@gmail.com.
Volunteer with us
We’d love to hear from anyone who’s interested in volunteering their time and skills to help out. For example, this could be:
- administrative and meeting support
- marketing, PR and events assistance
- providing BSL interpretation at events and meetings
- advising on accessibility matters
Please get in touch with us at yorkdisabilityrights@gmail.com and let us know your suggestions for what you might be able to offer. See our Contact page for information on other ways you can get in touch.
Forum response to the changes to city centre access for Blue Badge holders made by City of York Council
The Forum’s advisory group feel required to speak out about the way in which the measures taken by City of York Council to restrict access to York city centre for Blue Badge holders have been implemented.
We have produced the document below which outlines the concerns raised by and with members of the Forum’s advisory group with the intention that these views be recognised and considered, particularly where matters directly affect the disability community of York. Our aim is to highlight the implications of such measures for people who are disabled in order to improve future decision-making procedures.
York Disability Rights Forum | Response to CYC Communications on Blue Badge Changes (PDF – 39KB)
City of York Council Blue Badge Flyer (PDF – 1.7MB)
If you would like to get in touch with us about your experience of this issue please email us at yorkdisabilityrights@gmail.com.
We’re always looking for ways to improve the way we present and distribute information so please do get in touch if you can recommend any positive changes or adjustments we might make.