Forthcoming Events
DAD AGM - Thursday 5th December 2024
Date: Friday 08th November 2024 to Thursday 05th December 2024
Time: 10.00 to 16.00
Please join us at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Darlington Association on Disability
on Thursday 5th December 2024
at 11am
via Teams
If you would like to know more about our work please contact Judith Gledhill on 01325 489999 or email judith.gledhill@darlingtondisability.org
Copies of the audited accounts and annual report will be available for members which will sent out prior to the AGM once you have confirmed your attendance. If you are unable to attend and would also like a copy, please contact us.
I hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you.
UK Disability History Month 2024
Date: Thursday 14th November 2024 to Friday 20th December 2024
Time: 09.00 to 23.30
Disability Livelihood and Employment: 14th November - 20th December 2024
Disability has been seen for many years as synonymous with non-employment or unemployment.
This of course is not true. Disabled people have always sought a means of surviving whether in begging, employment or on welfare or charity. Recently the number of disabled people in the UK workforce has increased
Since 2013, the earliest comparable year (see ‘What you need to know’), up to the start of the pandemic (March 2020) the general trend in disability employment was positive. There had been strong growth in the number and rate of disabled people in employment and a narrowing of the gap between the rate of disabled and non-disabled people in employment (the disability employment gap).
The pandemic initially reversed these trends with year-on-year changes showing a fall in the disability employment rate and a widening of the disability employment gap in 2020. The latest quarterly data for April to June 2023 shows that since the same quarter in 2019 the rate has increased by 1.0 percentage point
There were 5.1 million disabled people in employment in the UK in Q2 2023. This is an increase of 320,000 on the year and an overall increase of 2.2 million since the same quarter in 2013
The disability employment rate was 53.6% in Q2 2023, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people. For disabled people, there is an increase of 0.6 percentage points on the year and an overall increase of 10.0 percentage points since the same quarter in 2013.
The disability unemployment rate was 7.1% in Q2 2023, compared to 3.5% for non-disabled people. For disabled people, this is an increase of 0.4 percentage points from last year and an overall decrease of 6.4 percentage points since the same quarter in 2013.
In times of war when non disabled men have gone to fight more disabled workers were recruited in 1914–18 and 1939–45 this has led to disabled workers being part of the reserve army of labour.
In the last 30 years both legislation and trade unions have been more supportive of disabled workers.
Protection from discrimination in hiring, promotion, training and dismissal and a duty of reasonable adjustment have improved the work situation of disabled people.
In the past heavy industry like mining, steel-making and construction have had a high rate of accidents leading to more disabled workers. Depending on organised labour’s strength some have been able to accommodate these workers on light duties.
Health and safety legislation has also made work safer.
Modern high tech work can be carried out by a much wider range of employees as it does not require physical strength or stamina and modern patterns of flexible and home working allow a greater number of disabled people to work.
Stereotypes, barriers and prejudices still impact differentially on disabled people with different impairments. Those with Autism, Mental Health issues, Intellectual impairments and visual impairments still have much higher rates of non-employment.
In 2024 UKDHM will collect together a variety of resources to demonstrate the above and develop a range of educational resources to inform students on the factors influencing the employment of disabled people now and in the past to illuminate a more equitable way forward.
Carers Rights Day - 21st November 2024
Date: Thursday 21st November 2024 to Friday 22nd November 2024
Time: 09.00 to 10.00
Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for someone for a while, we believe that it’s important that you understand your rights and are able to access the support that is available to you as soon as you need it. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. Each year, Carers Rights Day helps us:
- ensure carers are aware of their rights
- let carers know where to get help and support
- raise awareness of the needs of carers.
Recognising your rights
This year, Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 21 November 2024 – and this year’s theme is recognising your rights.
Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or a friend – many of whom don’t see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of support and benefits. This year’s theme is ‘recognising your rights’ – and our aim is to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it.
As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
Date: Tuesday 26th November 2024 to Thursday 28th November 2024
Time: 23.00 to 09.00
Last year’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day was incredibly successful. Our hashtag was trending at sixth on Twitter for a large period of the day and was shared by many stakeholders and MPs. Thank you to everybody who has supported us in the past - we can't raise awareness without the help of our members, stakeholders and supporters committed to tackling fuel poverty.
This year’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day will take place on Wednesday 27 November. For now, please save the date and hit the button below for more information and to register your interest in taking part.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (FPAD) - National Energy Action (NEA)
International Day for Disabled People - 3rd December
Date: Monday 02nd December 2024 to Wednesday 04th December 2024
Time: 09.00 to 10.00
The International Day of People with Disability is observed on December 03, 2024. The day is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day takes place annually and focuses on a different issue each year.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities | United Nations
International Day of Persons with Disabilities | Healthwatch
Interested?
Call us on: 01325 489999 or Email us
How you can support us
As a local organisation we very much rely on the support of our local community. We support over 2,000 people every year to have greater choice and control and remove the barriers that disabled adults and children experience in their everyday lives. But we need YOUR help.