DPOs are led, directed and governed by disabled people for disabled people

Posted 10.08.2021

Recent stories we’ve shared highlight the importance of Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) across the UK. Ongoing emergency funding is needed to build on the achievements of this DPO COVID-19 NET Emergency Fund and the determination of DPOs to support disabled people locally.

A clearer understanding of the value of DPOs and how they differ from non-user-led disability charities is needed.

Disabled Peoples Organisations are led, directed and governed by disabled people for disabled people.

DPOs have an implicit or explicit commitment to the social model of disability and promoting/advancing the human rights of disabled people.

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The Future of Disabled People's Organisations?

Without ongoing funding and capacity building DPOs are at risk of disappearing.
Success of the NET DPO COVID-19 Emergency Fund Project

Despite the challenges of building a new consortium during a national emergency.
The Disability Equality North West Story

The pandemic exposed social and health inequalities and deep-rooted negative attitudes towards disabled people which must be faced and addressed collectively and collaboratively in the future.
The People First Story

We need funders that provide accessible grant opportunities and understand why we exist, what we do, and how we do it.
Capacity building is needed for small DPOs

To be able to successfully access funding and deliver projects.
DPOs should be involved in the development of policies and strategies

General Comment 7 from the UNCRPD.
DPOs are chronically underfunded

We are calling on governments and mainstream funding bodies to support DPOs.
DPOs need to be at every table

DPOs need representation - General Comment 7 from the UN CRPD.
DPOs have lived experience

Leading to more effective and better designed delivery.
A DPO is one whose constitution requires it to have a membership and board with a majority of disabled people

And whose objectives are the rights and equality of disabled people.