Membership
With over 150 member organisations Disability Action is the umbrella organisation for the disability sector in Northern Ireland.
Our aim is to have a strong and diverse membership that will help us to inform policy and strategy that address the issues that people with disabilities in Northern Ireland face.
Membership is central to Disability Action’s work. Directors are nominated by our membership and member organisations have voting rights at Disability Action’s Annual General Meetings.
Membership of Disability Action will give organisations access to not only a wide range of expertise and support through our direct services but also through the opportunities to network with other member organisations.
Membership Services
The following services are available to members only:
- Free subscription to the D-Brief – a policy-focused newsletter relating to disability. This publication will be published at least six times a year.
- Development Support – every organisation can access eight hours of development support per year. This could include help with fundraising, finance, HR, marketing, governance or policy work.
- Policy Consultation – when developing policy, members will be given preference in consultation events which help shape the policy. Non-members will not be able to influence policy in this way.
- Policy Forums – members will have access to existing and new policy forums in relation to disability issues.
- Membership Events and Networking – access to member-only events and networking opportunities.
- Discounts on Training and Events – 20% discount on all training and events.
- Room Hire – one day’s free use of Disability Action’s accessible meeting rooms and 30% discount on any future bookings (excluding catering costs).
Members can also avail of the following services:
- Information Days – staff from a range of Disability Action’s services can provide information days for your members or service users.
- Free subscription to Disability Action’s monthly E-zine.
- Free subscription to Disability Action’s weekly Northern Ireland Assembly Monitor.
- Free subscription to DA News and Ability NI.
- Opportunity to promote your events and news on www.disabilityaction.org visited by over 60,000 people each year.
Who can become a member?
Membership is open to organisations working in any area relating to disability. Currently member organisations include small voluntary groups, regional branches of UK wide charities, local community groups and government departments.
How do I apply?
To apply please email karenmcgrath@disabilityaction.orgfor an application form.
What happens if we don’t have a constitution or accounts?
If you do not have one or both of these, then Disability Action can work with you to develop your constitution or give you advice on your accounts. Once you have them in place then we can take your application forward.
How long will it take?
All membership applications have to be considered by Disability Action’s Board of Directors. This means that it may take 4-8 weeks depending on when you apply, but we will talk to you about this.
What will I get?
Once your application has been accepted by the Board of Directors you will receive an introduction pack that will explain how you can access all of the membership services.
You will also receive a certificate of membership.
How much does it cost?
Membership fees are based on turnover (with the exception of statutory organisations). Please see the table below for fees.
| Turnover less than £20,000 | £10 |
| Turnover between £20,000 - £50,000 | £20 |
| Turnover between £50,001 - £100,000 | £30 |
| Turnover between £100,001 - £250,000 | £40 |
| Turnover over £250,000 | £65 |
| Statutory Organisations | £75 |
In joining Disability Action you will be associating your organisation with our aims and values and supporting the principles underlying our Charter of Rights.
For further information or to join please contact Karen McGrath on
Email: karenmcgrath@disabilityaction.org
Telephone: 028 9029 7880
Textphone: 028 9029 7882
Fax: 028 9029 7881
