Policy has to be a living statement of an organisation’s principles. An organisation’s policy informs its response to external developments and good policy is key to the ability of an organisation to have influence.
As the new Policy and Communications Manager of Disability Rights UK in line with the values of the organisation I wish to see our policy appraised and developed through the active involvement of our disabled members. I am looking to establish a policy forum of members with whom we could have a regular dialogue to inform our policy work on a quarterly basis.
The aim would be to ensure that we are up to date with trends in the following: political, economic, social, technological, legislative, environmental and in new thinking born of the experience of having a disability or long term health condition and how these trends may necessitate new policies or the modification of existing ones. It is not necessary to be expert because experience itself brings expertise. The priority will be to focus knowledge on these trends and experiences upon DR UK’s existing priorities and these include apprenticeships, employment and independent living.
If you are a member who feels you are a suitable candidate for the policy forum please respond to me at philip.connolly@disabilityrightsuk.org (see our website at disabilityrightsuk.org for further information).
Respondents expressing interest are asked to contact us by email, letter or telephone informing us of their experiences and expertise and provide a brief resume of the contribution they wish or expect to make. Over time the commitment from DR UK will be to ensure that the policy network is representative of the widest possible demographics and captures a wide range of views but the imperative is to make a lean start and be iterative – like the Japanese automotive industry we will continuously improve. It is likely that the forum may be operated remotely through on line forums and by telephone but the ambition will be for people to meet as resources allow.