About us
Our aim is to break down the barriers faced by disabled people in the UK. We’re implementing a strategy that understands the lived experience of disabled people.
Responsibilities
We are responsible for:
- the national strategy for disabled people
- bringing the views, insights and lived experience of disabled people to the centre of policy making
- helping departments to develop and monitor policies that remove barriers faced by disabled people
- supporting the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work
- co-ordinating the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across government
Priorities
Our priorities for 2023 to 2024 are to:
- continue delivering the National Disability Strategy, which provides a positive and clear vision on disability which is owned right across government
- publish and deliver on proposals in the Disability Action Plan, focused on making practical changes to policies to strengthen disabled people’s ability to participate fully in society
- ensure disabled people’s lived experience underpins policies by identifying what matters to disabled people
- strengthen the ways in which we listen to disabled people and their organisations, using their insights to drive real change
- improve the quality of evidence and data and using it to support policies and how they are delivered
- build and maintain relationships with disabled people and their organisations, stakeholders and colleagues across government
- ensure that the UK disability policy and disabled people are represented on international platforms
Who we are
We were formed in November 2019, bringing together the Office for Disability Issues and other experts from across government.
We are part of the Equality Hub in the Cabinet Office, with the Race Disparity Unit, Government Equalities Office and Social Mobility Commission.
We are headed by Marcus Bell (Director) and Alex Gowlland (Deputy Director). Our offices are in London, Sheffield and Leeds.