Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) across the UK are calling for urgent reform to address decades of systemic funding inequalities that threaten their survival and effectiveness. At the centre of this movement is the Funding Justice campaign from Disability Rights UK (DRUK) and DPO Forum England – two national coalitions of DPOs which WECIL is an active member of. This is a bold initiative demanding fundamental changes to how disability-related funding is allocated.
The campaign exposes how large, non-disability-led charities – organisations not run by or accountable to Disabled people – monopolise funding and dominate decision-making spaces, often to the detriment of grassroots DPOs. It challenges funders and policymakers to confront the inequities within the disability sector and ensure that DPOs, which are uniquely positioned to lead systemic change, are given the resources they need.
WECIL is proud to be a key contributor to this campaign, having engaged in its development as a member of DRUK and through our work as South West’s lead in the Inclusion London-led national study, Understanding the needs of DDPOs in England, that informed its demands. WECIL’s local Strengthening the Voice of Disabled People in Bristol report further underscores the critical role of DPOs and the barriers they face in driving change.
The Funding Justice Campaign: A Call for Transformation
DRUK’s Funding Justice campaign lays bare the systemic inequities that have long plagued the disability sector. Large, non-disabled-led charities dominate the space, often benefiting from annual budgets exceeding £100 million while grassroots DPOs operate on less than £100,000. These organisations claim to represent Disabled people but often perpetuate harmful stereotypes through outdated medical and charitable models of disability.
Key issues raised by the campaign include:
- Funding Imbalance: The overwhelming majority of disability-related funding is allocated to non-DPO charities, leaving grassroots organisations with limited resources to advocate for and support their communities.
- Harmful Practices: Non-disabled-led charities actively harm Disabled people by monopolising funding streams, appropriating the language of empowerment, and excluding Disabled voices from leadership and decision-making roles.
- Exclusion of DPOs: Despite being experts in their field, DPOs are often left out of consultations, funding processes, and policy-making spaces, further marginalizing the people they represent.
The Funding Justice campaign outlines a bold roadmap to address these challenges, including:
- Dedicated Long-Term Core Funding: To allow DPOs to plan strategically and make lasting impacts.
- Equitable Resource Distribution: Redirecting funding from non-DPO charities to grassroots organisations that authentically represent and serve Disabled people.
- Inclusion Costs: Covering essential access measures such as British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and Easy Read materials.
- Intersectional Justice: Providing targeted support for intersectional DPOs representing Black and minority ethnic Disabled people, Deaf migrants, and others who face compounded barriers.
National Research: Building the Case for Change
WECIL played a key role as the South West lead in a comprehensive national study conducted by Inclusion London which informs the Funding Justice campaign. In this study, WECIL engaged with 55 DPOs across the South West, providing detailed insights into their challenges, which contributed to a national picture sourcing input from DPOs in all regions. We found:
- Precarious Funding: Many DPOs depend on short-term project funding, which undermines their ability to offer consistent services or advocate for long-term change.
- Fragmentation and Isolation: The lack of regional and national infrastructure has left many DPOs disconnected, limiting opportunities for collaboration and shared advocacy.
- Rising Demand Amid Shrinking Resources: As poverty and inequality increase, DPOs are under immense pressure to support more people with fewer resources.
This research highlights the systemic barriers that prevent DPOs from reaching their full potential and the urgent need for structural reform.
WECIL’s Local Perspective: Strengthening the Voice of Disabled People in Bristol
WECIL’s Strengthening the Voice of Disabled People in Bristol study brought together diverse voices and expertise of 12 local Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), including Bristol Disability Equality Forum, Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living, Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, and Bristol Independent Mental Health Network, to shape a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities for DPOs in Bristol.
The resulting report complements the findings of the national study by focusing on the challenges faced by local DPOs. This report, which engaged numerous local organisations and activists, provides a detailed look at:
- The Impact of Austerity: Years of funding cuts have left many Bristol DPOs struggling to survive while meeting increased demand.
- COVID-19 Responses: DPOs in Bristol demonstrated their unique ability to advocate for inclusive policies and provide critical support during the pandemic.
- Barriers to Influence: Disabled people in Bristol remain underrepresented in local decision-making, echoing national trends of exclusion.
- The Power of Co-Production: The report underscores the importance of co-production—working in partnership with Disabled people to design effective, inclusive services.
The Harm Caused by Non-DPO-Led Charities
Both the national and local findings reveal the active harm caused by large, non-disabled-led charities, which financially benefit from talking about our oppression:
- Monopolise Resources: Their access to high-profile donors and corporate partnerships leaves grassroots DPOs without sufficient funding.
- Perpetuate Outdated Models: By failing to adopt the Social Model of Disability, these organisations reinforce narratives of dependency and pity.
- Exploit Marginalised Voices: Non-DPO charities often co-opt the language of empowerment while excluding Disabled people from leadership roles .
These practices undermine the disability rights movement and reinforce systemic inequities.
Join the Movement for Funding Justice
The Funding Justice campaign is a wake-up call for funders, policymakers, and the public. WECIL urges everyone to support this critical initiative and help build a more equitable future for DPOs.
If you feel that it is unjust that over the past year nine large disability charities not led by Disabled people received over £460 million in government contracts, while 90 DPOs received just £12.5 million, read more about the campaign at https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/funding-justice.
Become a Member of WECIL: Joining WECIL strengthens the fight for equality and empowers Disabled voices. Membership is free and offers opportunities to influence our work and shape a fairer future. Join today.
Together, we can create a system that values the expertise and leadership of Disabled people, ensuring that their voices are central to every decision that affects their lives.
