WAMES joins Disability Wales

WAMES is pleased to announce that we are now an affiliate member of Disability Wales.

What is Disability Wales?

DW is the national membership body of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) in Wales, striving for the rights of all disabled people.

‘Our vision is for an inclusive, equitable and barrier free society.’

Why are we only affiliate members?

Currently WAMES does not meet the criteria for a DPO as our constitution does not stipulate that disabled people are in the majority, so we cannot be a full member of Disability Wales.

What is a DPO?

A Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) is run and controlled by Disabled people, with it being a constitutional requirement to have the majority of the management committee and membership to identify as disabled, at least 51%.

When referring to the definition of disability, DPOs use the Social Model, which identifies that it is the barriers made by society that disable people, not their individual impairments, neurodivergence or health conditions.

Are people with ME disabled?

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.  UK gov

Not everyone with ME would consider themselves to be substantially affected long-term by our illness or impairment. Severity of illness varies widely and health  improvement is possible for some. Others however recognise they are no longer able to participate in society in the same way they used to, like others with different ullnesses and impairments.

Why join DW?

DW see their remit as including:

• Championing the Social Model of Disability across all sectors of society.
• Campaigning to influence public policy and attitudes.
• Community-building for Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), through working together to develop knowledge, skills and networks.

WAMES fully shares DW’s vision of ‘an inclusive, equitable and barrier free society.’ 

We want to see people with ME able to take part in society as much as they wish, in spite of energy limitations, restricted mobility, sensory sensitivities etc.

We are keen to add our voice to others to make this a reality and to learn from them.

Next steps? 

WAMES will consider whether affiliate membership is enough or if we should change our constitution.

• Do you have a view about this? If so, please let us know.
• Do you consider yourself disabled? What does that mean for you?
• What barriers do you experience in society? Tell us so we can join campaigns with others!

 jan@wames.org.uk      helpline@wames.org.uk