Joan Rutherford who is a member of GMCDP’s Housing Working Group attended the launch of Habinteg's Forecast for Accessible Homes Report at Westminster on the 9th September. This event was part of  Habinteg's annual Accessible Homes Week which celebrates the vital role accessible homes play in supporting wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.

We are excited to share that The National Archives' Cataloguing Grant is funding our new 'Choice and Control' project: a chance to open up and catalogue previously restricted parts of our Disabled People's Archive.

The 'Choice and Control' project will be an opportunity to develop our understanding of the history of the Independent Living Movement and its influence on the Disabled People's Movement.

Joan Rutherford, a member of our Housing Working Group, gave a talk at the Housing 2025 event in Manchester last month.

What do I mean by ‘accessible housing’? Housing that meets Building Regulation M4(2). More or less what used to be known as Lifetime Homes. Meaning that anyone with reduced mobility can continue to live there despite changes in their lives.

GMCDP has submitted a response to the EHRC Code of practice for services, public functions and associations: consultation 2025

In summary:

GMCDP do not believe changes to our provision are necessary and such changes as in the Code would be harmful - they would reduce safety, access, and dignity for everyone.

Closing date: 12 noon on Thursday 31 July 2025

We want to add capacity to our Manchester Disabled People’s Project team so that we can deliver more and bigger events and activities.

Location: Home based, with some in person meetings
Salary: £46,000 FTE (£27,600 actual)

Part time, permanent
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 23rd June 2025

Are you a disabled leader committed to disability rights and the Social Model of Disability?

Do you believe in the power of grassroots activism, user-led change and inclusive leadership?

Find out more and download the application pack.

Easy read document - Call for Videos: Celebrate Our 40th & Demand Change! (.docx, 1.96 MB)

Last week GMCDP submitted evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee in the House of Commons on how Jobcentres treat disabled people. Our evidence is based on what our members and our communities have told us through the Disabled People’s Panel and the Big Disability Survey.

Linda Laurie was a longtime disabled activist who sadly died last year. Many of us will have known Linda, and fought with her for disabled people’s freedom and equality.

Linda read a lot; about politics, about disability, about music, and about travel. She loved novels and poetry. Linda’s partner would like her books to go to other disabled activists, and for people to make a donation to the Disabled People’s Archive in her memory.