Race, Disability, Diversity & BCODP

Sandy Marshall, Groups Development Manager, BCODP

The British Council of Disabled People is aiming to become an inclusive, fully representative organisation, where ALL disabled people from different races, cultures and communities have a voice. There is no place in The British Council of Disabled People for racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia.

Currently, BCODP is involved in a Partnership programme called COUNT US IN. Although this is a London based project funded through the City Parochial Foundation, the project’s good practice on the inclusion of more pushed out groups will be shared within the movement. The project aims are to support small Black and Ethnic Minority Groups, Disabled Lesbians and Gay Men, Disabled Refugees and other minority groups.

We are looking for experienced trainers to lead three workshop sessions at our next COUNT US IN meeting to be held in London on Thursday, 23rd May 2002. The theme will be Disabled People, Relationships and Sexuality. If you are a Disabled Person and have experience in training on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual or Heterosexual issues please contact Sandy Marshall at the BCODP offices for further information by no later than 29th March 2002.

The Equalities Committee is newly formed and has had just one meeting so far. Through this Committee it is hoped that BCODP can ensure positive action for minority groups within the organisation and for disabled people who experience many forms of discrimination.

Some of BCODP's member organisations have been working very hard to achieve support and services for Black and Ethnic Minority Disabled People such as The Council of Disabled People Warwickshire, a report of their findings is enclosed with Activate. (Further copies can be obtained from The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP, Tel 01904 629241 Fax 01904 620072 http://www.jrf.org.uk)

Understanding racism is not simple, racism comes in many forms, and it can be aggressive, passive, or institutional. It is often the unspoken word, the attitude, thought or the assumption. It can be found in the language we use, the way we work and the services we provide. A great deal of research has gone into attempting to fight racism, including legislation and The Commission for Racial Equality. The recommendations of the recent McPherson Inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 imposes a duty on public authorities and public sector organisations to monitor and set targets according to action plans. The Commission for Racial Equality will have powers to enforce duties under the Act.

As part of the Voluntary Sector, The British Council of Disabled People should develop a Positive Action plan to ensure equality in our organisation. Currently we employ no black and ethnic minority disabled people, we have just one member of our National Council who is from The Asian People with Disabilities Alliance, we have no representation on our Executive Committee and little representation on those committees which are operational.

The British Council of Disabled People could easily be labelled as institutionally racist. We need to adopt a strategy together with a policy to ensure we are inclusive and provide a voice for those who experience different forms of discrimination and oppression.

Initially Laura Luckhurst and I are looking to meet with other organisations for support and networking opportunities such as CEMVO, The Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations and Stonewall. The Equalities Committee will hopefully be meeting shortly to advise and take this work further. A training programme to provide Staff, Trustees and Directors, Committee Members and Volunteers of BCODP has been provisionally planned for 19th, 25th and 27th June, at venues in London, Derby and Newcastle (to be arranged).

We are therefore looking for three experienced trainers (one trainer per venue) to deliver one day of training in respect to Race and Disability Equality Training. You will be an experienced Race Equality Trainer and from a Black and Ethnic Minority background.

Please contact either Sandy Marshall at BCODP or Laura Luckhurst at NCIL for further information. The closing date for this training tender is 30th April 2002. If funding is available BCODP is hoping to further this training to our Full Member Groups in each region during 2002/2003.

© Copyright British Council of Disabled People 2002