National Dialogue on Disability
What is it?
Throughout the year RADAR campaigns for equal rights for disabled people and we know that it is vital that MPs hear directly from disabled people about the issues that affect them.
Every year we co-ordinate a national 'dialogue on disability' where disabled people across the country meet with their local Member of Parliament - during the same month – to discuss both local and national issues that affect them as disabled people. We provide those taking part with a briefing pack to inform them about national issues such as the campaign for the right to Independent Living, or employment prospects for disabled people; many people talk about their personal experiences, and local issues such as access to homes or to local transport.
This national dialogue raises the profile of disability amongst parliamentarians, and can lead to an ongoing relationship between disabled people and their elected representatives, helping to build the capacity of disabled people to campaign for change.
The 2008 National Dialogue
The RADAR briefing pack included information on:
- Housing
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Taxi Accessibility
- Independent Living and Health and Social Care
There was a wide range of members participating in the scheme - from key disability rights protagonists, to local access groups and centres for independent living to individual disabled people wanting to raise local concerns. Participants included those who regularly engage with their MPs and those who were meeting their MP for the first time. Some went to their MPs surgery to meet, and others invited their MPs to speak at a debate, or to their local group. Over 130 disabled people and over 25 MPs were involved in this years dialogue. The Report on the National Dialogue on Disability 2008
We ask everyone who takes part to feedback to us about the things they talked to their MP about, and to let us know of any commitments their MP made. From this we write a report of the scheme so we can show what disabled people across the country are concerned about.
Read this year's report here.
Celebrating the 2008 dialogue
We celebrated the national month of dialogue on disability at a Parliamentary reception in March, where all those who took part in the scheme - constituents and MPs - are invited to attend. This year's reception was very well attended, and we distributed the report of the scheme, together with the new edition of RADAR's MPs' Guide on Disability.
If you, or your organisation, want to get involved in the National Dialogue on Disability 2009 contact Beth Capper on beth.capper@radar.org.uk or 020 7566 0126 for more information.
Your voice can be heard!
Some coments from previous year's schemes:
"I think the dialogue scheme is an excellent way for MPs to understand the practical aspects of issues of which they may know the theory"
"My MP’s premises were inaccessible to my scooter. They are looking into this as a direct result of my visit".