Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs)

DPOs are significantly different to other organisations.  They are run and controlled by disabled people and represent a distinct and specific community within civil society. Disabled people form the management, staff, volunteer, member and user groups.  DPOs champion, and are committed to the human rights, equality and inclusion of disabled people as valued and respected citizens. They represent the authentic voice and lived expereince of, and for disabled people. 

This section contains the following videos

What is a DPO?

What do DPO's do?

Why are DPOs important?

What's good about DPOs? 

Resources

Thriving or Surviving - Research by Disability LIB detailing what DPOs do, the challenges and opportunities they face and why they are important.

• Thriving or Surviving, PDF version.
• Thriving or Surviving, Easy read PDF version.
• Thriving or Surviving, MP3.

The Advantage of Being a DPO - A factsheet produced by UKDPC, outlining what DPOs are, what they do and how they are different from User-Led Organisations (ULOs).  

• The advantage of Being a DPO, PDF version.

Less Courses More Conversations; Mainstream Capacity Building and Disabled Peoples Organisations - Outlines the purpose of capacity building and characteristics of Disabled Peoples Organisations, including activities, added value and their financial position within the broader Disability charity sector.

• Less Courses More Conversations, PDF version.

Future Drivers of Disabled People's Organisations - Disability LIB and NCVO Third Sector Foresight carried out research around the drivers or trends most relevant to disabled people and their organisations. In addition to the public spending cuts these include:-

• Disablism - The discrimination, abuse and injustice experienced by disabled people because they have impairments
• Global and local disability movement(s) - Engaged local & diverse citizens, informed and connected with global issues and remote partnerships
• Green Access - Impact of climate change and green agenda on disabled people and accessibility
• Inclusive and Independent Living - Access to opportunities, and choice and control over daily living resources
• Personalisation, User Led Organisation... - Reform of public services driven by self directing and empowered disabled people as consumers
• Single Equalities Disabled peoples’ relationship with other diversity groups and issues within single equality schemes and initiatives

The report from the workshops held to develop this is avalible here - What does the future hold for Disabled Peoples Organisations?

Index

• Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs)
  • What is a DPO?
  • What do DPOs do?
  • Why are DPOs important?
  • What's good about being involved in DPOs?
• Human Rights, Equality and Campaigning
• Running a Disabled People's Organisation
• Leadership: Young people and DPOs