Equality 2025 is coming to the North East
On 31 July 2008, Equality2025 will be holding an event for young disabled people in County Durham. Featuring a live rock band and interactive voting this is sure to be an exciting way to get your voice heard.
The event will use electronic voting to record your views and opinions. This highly accessible technology will give instant feedback and allow everyone present to see what will be fed into government.
There are two more public meetings on the 17 and 18 July at the Newcastle Marriot Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. Following the North East Equalities Coalition 'Stronger Voice' theme, Equality 2025 are striving to ensure that the voices of disabled and Deaf people are heard when Government decides anything that affects their lives.
More details will appear on this site soon. If you live in the North East and would like to attend, contact the Equality 2025 Secretariat on eq2025.secretariat@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
10 June - Secretary of State meets with Equality 2025
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Honourable James Purnell MP, met with Equality 2025 members when he attended their quarterly meeting in London on 10 June.
He addressed the group and took part in an hour long discussion that centred on the current welfare reform initiatives and the need for improvements to employment support services.
He told the group that he welcomed their input at a time when the government is deciding its priorities for the future and stated "I hope this is the beginning of a productive relationship."
We are recruiting a Chair
Are you interested in becoming the new Chair of Equality 2025?
As Chair you would lead Equality 2025 in bringing the views and experiences of disabled people to the Westminster Government.
Established in December 2006, Equality 2025 is a network of 23 disabled people from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is an independent body, sponsored by the Office for Disability Issues, which aims to help improve the lives of disabled people.
If you are interested in applying for this post, please visit the Equality 2025 recruitment website.
Talking with the Prime Minister
Rowen Jade, Equality 2025’s Acting Chair, met Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 12 May 2008, when he pledged fundamental reform to social care of the elderly and disabled in England at a King’s Fund seminar.
‘I spoke to him about the stigma of care and the sense of failure that very many people who require care feel,’ said Rowen, ‘And the need to change the image that it should be one of entitlement rather than a service that comes in at crisis point.’
You can read more about this seminar on the Independent website. (opens at independent.co.uk)
Public meeting
Equality 2025 will be holding its second public meeting on 3 November 2008 in Birmingham. Further details on the meeting will follow on this site soon.
Equality 2025 in Belfast
Equality 2025's second regional public meeting took place at Disability Action Headquarters in Belfast on 15 May. A capacity attendance saw 26 people with disabilities attending on the day, representing disabled people's organisations, local networks and members of the public.
The meeting was a big success with clear views put forward concerning two major strands of the Equality 2025 workplan: the UN Convention and Independent Living Strategy. A full report is available now.