South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network is an independent group run by disabled people for disabled people.
SGDEN is a fully independent organisation. We are a disabled persons’ user-led organisation (DPULO). The work of SGDEN is led by a small management committee, with a majority of disabled people.
We hold regular events to:
- provide information on schemes of use to our members
- gather the views of local disabled people, carers and organisations on the issues which concern them
We use the information to:
- inform the Council and other public bodies how they can make their services better for disabled people
SGDEN is funded by South Gloucestershire Council. We also have received small grants from other organisations such as the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Big Lottery and Merlin Community Grants.
What do we do?
We bring together local disabled people, and the organisations who work with them, to speak out about what will improve lives.
We provide services and events useful to disabled people through open meetings, newsletters, social media and work with other local organisations.
Who do we mean when we talk about disabled people?
SGDEN believes in the ‘social model of disability’. We believe that it is the physical and attitudinal barriers of society which make our impairments into a disability.
By impairment we mean any physical, sensory or mental health condition which can lead to disadvantage and discrimination.
This includes people with learning difficulties, mental health conditions, long-term illnesses such as kidney disease as well as the more well known physical disabilities such as wheelchair users and blind people.
