UKDPC Manifesto for 2010

The UK Disabled People's Council (UKDPC) is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new manifesto for the coming year. The Manifesto for 2010 sets out the UKDPC work programme on key issues that have a decisive impact on justice and rights for disabled people.


The UKDPC Manifesto highlights the essential issues and demands of disabled people for equal rights and justice for 2010. The UKDPC work programme for the coming year will specifically focus on human rights, independent living, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), ensuring the role of disabled people in co-production of future policies and striving to firmly place disability at the top of the political agenda.


Rachel Hurst, trustee of UKDPC and Director/co-founder of Disability Awareness in Action, comments, "Disability and Human Rights should be at the centre of the political agenda - not eroded and sidelined under seemingly 'right on' policies of personalisation and co-production, none of which are being properly implemented or funded. We want life - not death, wellbeing - not poverty."


The Manifesto was developed in direct response to the needs articulated by disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) throughout the United Kingdom. UKDPC feels strongly that it is vital that the representative voice of disabled people, articulated through DPOs and UKDPC, is both heard and acted upon.


Jaspal Dhani, Chief Executive Officer at UKDPC states, "The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities aims to ensure that disabled people enjoy human rights on an equal basis as others.


Our 2010 Manifesto sets out demands which we see as being essential in enabling our rights to be realised. I would encourage disabled people and their organisations to use the Manifesto at local levels when campaigning for rights and justice."


To read our Manifesto in full, please click on the links provided at the bottom of this page.


UKDPC Manifesto 2010


UKDPC Manifesto 2010


UKDPC Manifesto Easy Read Version

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About UKDPC

Who we are:
Welcome to the website of the UK Disabled People's Council (UKDPC). We were first established in 1981 as the British Council of Disabled People, to be the umbrella body for disabled people’s organisations across the United Kingdom.


We believe in, and strive for, the full inclusion of disabled people in society and the workplace. For us, inclusion is a human rights and civil liberties issue that must be effectively tackled. By working in partnership with disabled people’s organisations, the government and other bodies, we believe that equality can be achieved.


What we do:
Our membership includes local, regional and national organisations. We are working with over 300 disabled people’s organisations, and are running consultation and capacity building events all over the country. These events aim to strengthen the role of disabled people’s organisations, as it is only through them that we can achieve true equality.


We also have a proactive role internationally through our own International Committee and our membership of Disabled People’s International. Please visit our Current Issues section for detailed information on our areas of work.


Our achievements:
These achievements highlights some of our work which has contributed to considerable social changes:

• Creating and funding the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) in 1997, which became the leading organisation giving information and support to local centres for independent living.


• Influencing the development of national legislation affecting the lives of disabled people, including running a national campaign which resulted in the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act (1996).


• BCODP established a Research Unit at the University of Leeds.


• From 1981 campaigning to bring down the levels of poverty faced by disabled people.

1981-1990

• National Conferences on Independent Living, Education, Housing and Employment.


• Membership of the World Council of DPI.


• Founding member of Rights Now – a coalition to campaign for non-discrimination legislation.


• Running a successful campaign to stop a regulation banning unaccompanied disabled people into cinemas.


• Campaign and march on Disability Benefits.


• Demonstration which ended Telethon.


• Initiated inaugural meeting to form a Disability Arts Movement.


• Working with MP to write 1986 Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act.


• Worked with other human rights organisations to promote the Human Rights Act.

1990-2000

• Chairing DPI Europe.


• Providing representation on committees of European Disability Forum.


• Formation of National Centre for Independent Living.


• Leading campaigners for the Disability Discrimination Act.


• Running a national campaign which resulted in the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act (1996).


• Campaign against the Government’s Benefits Integrity Project.

2000-2010

• Published, with Demos and Scope, three reports on Disablism, Independent Living and Access.


• Member of the Government’s Task Force on the Commission for the Disability Discrimination Act.


• Member of the Government’s Advisory Group to set up Equality 2025.


• Organised the UK road show for the European Year of Disabled People.


• Formalised meetings with the Minister for Disabled People and national DPOs to ensure the voice of disabled people in contrast to just the big charities.

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How to contact us:
If you would like to get more information, or become involved in our work by becoming a member of UKDPC, then please get in touch with us through our Contact Us page.