Inclusion London

Inclusion London
Name	Inclusion London
Formation	1993
Type	Charity; umbrella organisation
Purpose	Disability rights; deaf and disabled people
Headquarters	London
Region served	Greater London
Language	English

Inclusion London Inclusion London is a London-based umbrella charity supporting deaf and disabled people and their local user-led organisations. Founded in the early 1990s, it acts as a membership body, policy influencer and capacity-builder working across boroughs, voluntary sector networks and statutory bodies. The organisation engages with national bodies, local authorities and campaign coalitions to advance equality, access and independent living for disabled Londoners.

History

The organisation emerged in the wake of the 1980s and 1990s disability rights movement alongside institutions such as the Disability Rights Commission, Scope, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Mencap, Leonard Cheshire Disability and community groups in boroughs across Greater London. Early work intersected with campaigns tied to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, debates in the House of Commons and initiatives by the Greater London Council legacy networks. Over time the organisation positioned itself among umbrella bodies like National Council for Voluntary Organisations, collaborating with regional actors such as the London Councils and civic initiatives connected to the Mayor of London office. Influences included international frameworks like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and national policy shifts following reports by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Mission and Objectives

The organisation’s stated mission aligns with principles championed by advocates and organisations including Leonard Cheshire Disability, Contact, Mind, Age UK, Action on Hearing Loss, and networks such as the Local Government Association. Objectives typically include promoting independent living, accessible transport and housing policy influence related to bodies like Transport for London, affordable housing discussions involving the Mayor of London's housing strategies, and social care reforms debated in the Department of Health and Social Care. Strategic aims reflect commitments that resonate with international standards promoted by the United Nations and regional implementation work informed by reports from the Centre for Social Justice and research from universities such as University College London.

Governance and Funding

Governance arrangements commonly involve a board drawn from user-led groups, trustees with backgrounds in organisations such as Citizens Advice, Barnardo's, National Autistic Society, and representatives from borough-based user groups. Funding streams historically have included grants and contracts from local authorities, commissioning bodies including the Greater London Authority, charitable trusts such as the Wellcome Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund-style programmes, as well as project funding from government departments and philanthropic organisations like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Big Lottery Fund. The organisation has navigated auditing and accounting standards overseen by entities like the Charity Commission for England and Wales and governance guidance from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Services and Programs

Programmatic work spans capacity building for local user-led groups, training and workforce development linked to employers and commissioners such as the NHS trusts, accessible communications initiatives influenced by standards from the British Standards Institution and campaigning toolkits used by charities like Amnesty International and Equality Now. Practical services include peer support networks, advice on direct payments and personal budgets shaped by policies from the Department for Work and Pensions, accessible housing advice engaging with housing associations like Peabody and Clarion Housing Group, and transport accessibility projects involving Transport for London and rail operators regulated by the Office of Rail and Road. Research collaborations have linked to academic partners such as the London School of Economics, King's College London and policy institutes like the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Campaigns and Advocacy

Advocacy work has targeted national and local reforms analogous to campaigns run by Disabled People Against Cuts, Stay Up Late, Scope and Disability Rights UK. Campaigns have addressed welfare reforms connected to the Welfare Reform Act 2012, accessible polling and electoral participation alongside the Electoral Commission, transport accessibility lobbying in partnership with Transport for London stakeholders, and inclusion in employment initiatives tied to Department for Work and Pensions programmes and large employers such as the Civil Service. The organisation has engaged in coalition work with civil society actors including Stonewall, Refugee Council, Shelter and trade unions like the Public and Commercial Services Union to amplify intersectional policy demands and legal challenges referenced in rulings from courts including the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Partnerships and Impact

Partnerships span borough-based deaf and disabled people’s organisations, national charities such as Scope and Mencap, local authorities across Greater London, health bodies such as the NHS England regional teams, and housing and transport partners including the Mayor of London's office and Transport for London. Impact can be traced through influence on accessible transport policies, contributions to London-wide equality strategies, support for the development of peer-led services, and capacity improvements among local user-led groups that interface with commissioning bodies like Clinical Commissioning Groups antecedent to Integrated Care Systems. The organisation’s work has been acknowledged in policy briefings by think tanks such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and featured in research by universities including University College London and King's College London.

Category:Charities based in London Category:Disability organisations based in the United Kingdom