Bristol searches to appoint local disabled people to new commission

Disabled people in Bristol are being encouraged to get involved with the new Disability Equality Commission, which will join the Commission on Race Equality and Women’s Commission in tackling inequality in the city.

The group will work to improve the lives and opportunities of disabled people in Bristol, and is looking for people who bring knowledge of the city’s diverse community and issues impacting upon disabled people.

In addition to individual disabled people, commissioners will also include disabled people-led organisations and groups working with disabled people, provided their representative is a disabled person.

Alun Davies MBE, a campaigner for disabled people’s rights in the city was appointed as the first chair of the commission in August.

He said: ‘I have lived and worked with Disabled people in this city for the past 30 years. I know the experience, knowledge and skills that are out there and above all a passion for working together to bring about positive change. I want the Commission to harness all of these qualities. If you are a Disabled person who believes your opportunities have been denied or restricted by any kind of barriers, then please apply to join.

‘I want to stress that the Commission is here to represent all Disabled people – those with a learning difficulty, neuro diversity, mental health issues, a physical impairment or a sensory impairment. It’s especially important to me that there is a diverse representation within the Commission.’

Cllr Asher Craig, deputy mayor and cabinet member for children services, education and equalities, added: ‘This is an exciting opportunity for Disabled people in Bristol to play an integral role in working to improve the lives of and provide opportunities to those with disabilities.

‘The role of the Commission is to make a difference to the lives of Disabled people in Bristol by ensuring disability equality is embedded in policy and practice across the city. Once we have a group of passionate commissioners on board, we will endeavour to speak to Disabled people from across the city to understand what the issues are and what our priorities need to be as we develop a strategic plan.’

The role is voluntary, and commissioners will be able to claim reasonable expenses.

More details about the role can be found here.

In related news, residents with disabilities took a tour of a new tower block redevelopment in Portsmouth to show the design team how to make the area work better for them.

Photo by Martyna Bober