Background to involving disabled people

• What is involvement?
• How do you involve disabled people?
• Examples of involving disabled people

Target the right audiences

Disabled people can make up a substantial part of the audience for any communications campaign. Sometimes they are a large part of it. You have a much better chance of your messages reaching your target audience, and of those messages being effective, if you have involved those who understand your target audience. The best place to start is with disabled people themselves.

Improve the quality of your communications

Involving disabled people in your work from the development stage will increase your chances of getting things right at the beginning. This might mean you avoid a major redesign later down the line, which wastes time and money.

Ensure your department meets the Disability Equality Duty

Since 2006, government departments have had a legal duty (Disability Equality Duty) not just to avoid discriminating against disabled people, but to take proactive steps to promote their equality. By involving disabled people in the process of developing and delivering communication strategies you will be helping your department to meet this duty.

For practical tips, visit the top tips section of this guidance.

Page last reviewed: 11 August 2008