Disabled people & our organisations

“I’m a totally visually impaired aspiring sound designer. I hoped to study audio technology at my local university. I was told, without hesitation or any attempt to accommodate me, that I would not be able to do this course about audio because of its visual content.” (Justin, student)

A DPAC wheelchair user at the Dept for Education holds a placard on her lap which reads

The Disabled people’s movement has for decades been fighting discrimination and campaigning for equality and human rights for Disabled people.

Inclusive education is one of the key pillars of independent living and a human right, as set out in Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Inclusion in mainstream society right from the start is essential if Disabled people are going to take our place in society as equal citizens. It is essential for non-disabled people to grow up with Disabled people as friends, classmates and family members if they are to understand that we are part of society and including us is not optional.

We want Disabled People’s Organisations to be part of our work – you can find out more about our Inclusion Champions project here. We provide resources (see below) for those pushing forward the inclusion agenda. We campaign for the right of all disabled learners to be fully included in mainstream, not segregated from our peers, our friends, our families, our communities. Join us.

The Social Model of Disability

What is the social model of disability? How does it apply to education?

Inclusion Champions

Our work with Disabled People’s Organisations: Inclusion Champions Network

The Journey to Activism

“What happened at school made me angry but through my campaigning work … I’ve learnt to use my anger for turning bad into good.” Mike Lambert interviews disability campaigner, Shaun Webster MBE, about his time at school and his views on inclusive education.

The Case for Inclusive Education

A handy guide to the what, why and how

“Hear Us Out”

This VIPER guide to participation looks at the steps organisations should follow when creating participation opportunities for groups of Disabled young people.

Inclusion and Me

Brandon Aughton writes about what inclusion has meant for him as a Disabled child.

Advocacy and Training Toolkit

This is a toolkit to support advocacy and training work led by Disabled people.

Inclusion Standards Guide

A document to help organisations make decisions about meeting disabled people’s access requirements during events

Pushing for Change

A report on the role of Disabled People’s Organisations in developing young Disabled leaders of the future.