“Making disability information accessible to individuals from Black & Minority Ethnic groups”
A review of current findings and thinking
June 2008
SID (Social Information on Disability)
as part of an
EHRC (Equality & Human Rights Commission) funded project
Introduction
Background
SID (Social Information on Disability) is a Surrey based charity which aims to ensure that disabled people have access to the information they need in order to make choices about the way in which they lead their lives. A brief overview of our preliminary background research and discussions is provided in Appendix 1.
The EHRC Funded Project
We have received funding from the EHRC (Equality & Human Rights Commission) for a period of one year, for a piece of work to be carried out within Surrey. This new project will address the dual disadvantage in accessing disability information often experienced by disabled people from BME (Black & Minority Ethnic) communities.
The first part of the project is a piece of desk-based research to produce a literature review and report which will form the foundation for a further piece of practical work.
The next stage of the project will include meetings with professionals and workshops with disabled individuals to explore the development of appropriate information resources and the best ways of disseminating this information. Five specific groups have been selected based on the issues highlighted in this report and in the light of the Surrey demographics, local demands, resources and partners.
The Literature Review & Report
The report pulls together the research and views of others working in this field into one place. The reports, talks and research cited are linked to their relevant websites wherever these are available, or are fully referenced.
The report is designed as a working document for the SID project, so keeps this as its focus of learning, but may be useful to others as a point of reference.
The report includes –
- An overview of national and Surrey BME population statistics (including immigration figures, gypsy and traveller populations, faith groups & asylum seekers).
- A review of research in other parts of the UK (national and local), looking at the particular issues and barriers to accessing information for specific groups of disabled people within BME communities (eg people with visual impairment or older people who have a BME background). It also seeks to identify examples of good practice in these areas, on which to build.
- The implications of the findings in each of these areas is then considered in terms of their relevance to SID’s project focus on promoting disability information provision in the context of Surrey’s particular demographics, infrastructure and services.
For further information contact:
Hazel Plastow
Chief Executive
SID (Social Information on Disability)
Rentwood, School Lane, Fetcham
Surrey KT22 9JX
Tel: 01372 372888
Email: Fill in the form on our contact page
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The full document is available to download as a PDF 
For further information fill in the form on our contact page.