Councillors play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities and improving the quality of life of local people. We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect the communities that they serve. We are delivering a package of support for currently elected disabled councillors, and disabled people who are considering becoming a councillor.
Our support offer for disabled councillors and candidates, which is funded by the UK Government, is designed to increase the representation of disabled people in local politics and accelerate their development to become leaders in local government. It covers the whole life cycle of a councillor: from taking that first step to stand for election, to developing your leadership skills as an experienced councillor.
Attracting and supporting more disabled candidates
Our Be a Councillor campaign inspires people who are passionate about their communities to stand for election and become local leaders. As part of this, we work with specialist partners like the Disability Policy Centre to encourage disabled people to find out more about becoming a councillor.
We are taking a holistic approach to inspire a new generation of disabled councillors, but also recognise that there are practical considerations. That is why we have developed our guide for disabled councillors – Improving access to local government elected office for disabled people – and a practical checklist for councils and political groups. These resources aim to increase awareness, accessibility and inclusion at every stage of becoming a councillor.
Disabled Councillors Leadership Programme
We have partnered with Disability Rights UK to offer a bespoke leadership programme for disabled councillors. We are committed to supporting under-represented groups in local government and we understand the value of providing councillors with learning opportunities alongside peers with shared experience.
Local Government Disability Champions Network (LGDCN)
The Local Government Disability Champions Network (LGDCN) is an informal network of council officers and councillors which is open to anyone in local government who has a formal or informal role as a Disability Champion, is Disabled or considers themselves an ally. The network aims to promote the voice of Disabled people across local government and raise awareness of how barriers to the inclusion of Disabled people in local government might be addressed.
To find out more, book your place on the Disabled Councillors Leadership Programme or join the LGDCN please email [email protected]
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Disabled Councillors Leadership Programme
A bespoke leadership programme is available for disabled councillors.
Improving access to local government elected office for disabled people
Local Government Disability Champions Network (LGDCN)
The Local Government Disability Champions Network (LGDCN) is an informal network of council officers and councillors which is open to anyone in local government who has a formal or informal role as a Disability Champion, is Disabled or considers themselves an ally.