Darlington Association on Disability was established in 1986 as a voluntary and charitable organisation led by disabled people. It exists to promote independence and choice, and supports disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information and by tackling issues locally and nationally. DAD promotes the social model of disability, and as part of that remit is actively involved in promoting disability equality and awareness of anti discrimination legislation.
DAD acts as a focal point for consultation with disabled people and carers. It also manages a range of services / projects to support its aims.
First aims were to:
The organisation was originally based at Walkington House with 1 paid secretary. The Church used it in the evening, so typewriter, word processor, photocopier and telephone had to be unplugged and put away in a cupboard at the end of the day!
1987:
1989:
1990: moved to Friends Meeting House in Skinnnergate. We had 3 staff.
1993: moved to Horsemarket
1993: Shopmobility started up.
1994: Carers Support Project launched
1996: Information Service launched
1998: Access Interest group launched
1998: Dimensions Disability Initiative launched
2000:
2001: 3 three volunteers and staff also became qualified trainers to deliver accredited Disability Equality Training. DAD has been delivering Disability Equality Training ever since.
2002: Direct Payments Support Service launched on behalf of the Council, based at Pease House.
DAD held its first General Meeting at Dimensions, West Lodge for members to have a say in future developments and influence the work of DAD.
2005:
2006: DAD worked with the Council to produce its Disability Equality Scheme.
2007: Shopmobility celebrated its 40,000 customer.
2008: DAD became a Company limited by guarantee and in November the Parents Forum was re-launched, subsequently parent led and set up as a separate organisation CDCD (Carers of Disabled Children in Darlington.)
2009: DAD became a third party reporting centre for disability hate crime and Young Leaders began.
2010: Saw an explosion of activity within DAD. This was the year Carers Support Service went into partnership with YMCA to deliver Young Carers Project. Mentoring for Independence Project began at Dimensions, Citizen Experts began to be recruited and DAD began to support the Learning Disability Parliament.
Darlington Association on Disability is an organisation led by disabled people, which exists to promote independence and choice.
DAD supports disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information and by tackling issues affecting disabled people both locally and nationally.
As a local organisation we very much rely on the support of our local community, and continue to support people flexibly to have greater choice and control and remove the barriers that disabled people and children experience in their everyday lives. We support over 2,000 people every year. But we need your help.