How we operate

Bristol Disability Equality Forum is an organisation of Disabled people. This means only Disabled people can join as full members with voting rights. So only Disabled people whatever their impairment make decisions about BDEF. We also only employ Disabled people.

Recently our members voted to become a CIO (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation), as previously we were just a Charity and were vulnerable through not being incorporated. We are now officially called BDEF CIO.

The old and new structures both have a Board of Trustees. These are Disabled people elected by the membership. They make all the decisions about the way the organisation operates and its future.

To do the day-to-day work of BDEF, BDEF employs Disabled people. At the moment we have a Director, Community Development Worker and Temporary Administration and Communications Worker. We are currently recruiting for a Senior Community Development Worker and a permanent Senior Administration, Communication and Finance Administration Worker.

We welcome Disabled people to volunteer and help us with our work. If you are interested, please go to our volunteering page.