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Forum talks to UoB students about impact of Brexit on Disabled people

EU flag with star missing

Recently, The Forum was asked to deliver a session on the potential impact of Brexit (especially a ‘no deal’ one) on Disabled people to University of Bristol students undertaking a masters degree in Disability Studies.  Students were shocked to realise just how many problems Disabled people may face, and amazed that it hasn’t been mentioned in any of the news coverage. 

Some of these potential impacts could affect everyone but would create much more of a difficulty for Disabled people, they include:

  • Shortage of some medicines – medicines which, if you are on them long term, you you need to stop taking gradually;
  • Additional costs of import tax on already expensive disability-related equipment,
  • A shortage of future Personal Assistants and care support workers that is likely to result if the free movement of European workers stops.

If you would like to find out more about how Disabled people could be affected in the case of a Brexit No Deal, Disability Rights UK have some great resources on their website.

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We are hiring!

The Forum are looking for a new Administration and Communication Worker. This is a permanent (subject to funding) part time role.

We are looking for a motivated self-starter with excellent administration skills and experience, to undertake all of the Forum’s necessary day-to-day administration and communications work.  As we are a very small charity, you will be the Forum’s only Admin and Comms worker.

The ideal candidate will be a hard-working, organised professional with good time management, lots of initiative, the ability to recognise when to use this initiative and when to check before acting, the ability to regularly work alone as well as part of a team, and the ability to work well under pressure.  They will also have excellent written communication and public-facing communication skills, in English.

An understanding of equalities issues and a commitment to inclusive ways of working are also essential. 

Occasional evening/weekend working is required.

13.5 hours per week over 3 days (some flexibility as to which hours/ days)

Bristol Disability Equality Forum welcomes applications from all equalities communities but, given the nature of the organisation, especially Disabled people.  We also encourage applications from BAME Disabled people, who are under-represented within the Forum.

We only accept applications made using the application form provided.  CVs alone will not be accepted. We encourage people to apply even if they feel they don’t meet all of the desirable criteria as the essential criteria is what is most important.

If you need any of the application pack documents in a different format, please contact bristoldef@gmail.com and let us know what format you require.

Closing date: to arrive before 10am on 8th May 2019

Interviews: Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th May 2019 (between 11am and 4pm).  Please indicate your availability in the covering email when returning your application form.

All applications to be submitted via email to: bristoldef@gmail.com. You can find the necessary paperwork at the end of this advert.

NB Due to its part-time nature, this post is not open to job-share.

Administration and Communications Worker application formDownload
Administration and Communications Worker job descriptionDownload
Applicant Details and Equalities Monitoring FormDownload

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The Forum are looking for new Trustees!

Forum Trustees sat round a table at a meeting

We are looking for new Trustees to join the Forum!

The Forum is a Bristol based Disabled People’s Organisation. Our vision is for a society where Disabled people are respected and valued, where they have Independence, Choice and Control of their own lives, and where they are fully included in their communities and the country as a whole. To achieve this we are active in most aspects of Disabled people’s lives where they face barriers to being an active and valued member of their communities, the workplace and the wider environment.

This is an exciting time to become a Trustee as we are moving into a new phase with lots of opportunity to re-think what we do and develop new work. While we welcome applications from all people who identify as Disabled, we are particularly keen to recruit people with an interest or experience in one (or more) of the following: 

  • Fundraising
  • Marketing
  • HR
  • Book-keeping
  • Recruiting Forum members
  • Campaigning

Our Trustees currently meet  every 4 – 6 weeks at St Pauls Learning Centre in Bristol however additional time may be required for attendance at other events and other specific work/projects.

If you are interested in becoming a Forum Trustee we would love to hear from you! Please contact Rachael by email bristoldef@gmail.com or call the office on 0117 914 0528