DDPO Legal Network
The DDPO Legal Network brings Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations and lawyers together to increase awareness and understanding of current case law and legislation affecting Deaf and Disabled people.
About the Legal Network
This network is currently paused while we seek further funding. For details, email Svetlana.
The network explores how DDPOs can best use case law and legislation in their advice, advocacy, policy and campaigns work. The network also aims to build effective partnership working between lawyers and DDPOs, including identifying strategic issues that may benefit from legal action.
The network meets quarterly on priority themes identified by DDPOs. Past network themes have included:
- The Care Act
- Disability Hate Crime
- Inclusive education
- Using the UN Convention of rights of people with disabilities (UNCRPD)
- Using the law to challenge cuts to DDPOs.
Network members hear expert contributions from lawyers and disability rights activists, have the chance to discuss and debate and have time at the end of each meeting to network with lawyers.
Who can join this network?
You can attend the DDPO Legal network if you are an individual representing a DDPO or a wider disability sector organisation. A maximum of two representatives from each organisation can attend the quarterly meetings.
Lawyers and solicitors are also welcome to attend.
Interested in joining?
Please contact Svetlana Kotova:
Svetlana.kotova@inclusionlondon.org.uk
DDPO Legal Network Meetings
Information about the most recent DDPO Legal Network Meeting is given below.
Using the law to challenge discrimination during assessments for benefits
Wednesday 4th December 2019 6.00-8.00pm
Matrix Chambers, Griffin Building, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5LN
Despite the duties in the Equality Act 2010 we know many Disabled people struggle to get reasonable adjustments during assessments for benefits. This includes inaccessible application processes, inaccessible assessment centres, inaccessible communication, failures to take the Equality Act duties into account when making decisions where and how the person will be assessed. We know Disabled people struggle to get the adjustments they need, especially when those adjustments are not included in the standard list.
Inclusion London has set up and supported several legal actions to challenge the DWP’s and the assessment providers’ policies and practice.
At our next legal network meeting we want to discuss what more we could do and how we could use the Equality Act 2010 more effectively.
Speakers
- Nathan Roberts, Barrister, Matrix chambers: The legal framework on te protection against discrimination at benefits assessments.
- London DDPOs: Experience of disabled people claiming benefits
For a complete list of all previous Legal Network meetings, with presentations, visit the DDPO Legal Network archive pages.
Legal Network Meetings are also posted on our Disability Justice Project website