Disability Independent Advisory Group (DIAG)
Disability Independent Advisory Group (DIAG)
DIAG is a countywide forum led by people with disabilities, who meet quarterly to discuss and act upon local topics, subjects or issues.
It meets four times a year, at various locations around Nottinghamshire, to discuss things which matter most to disabled people or listen to what other community, voluntary or statutory organisations think is important.
DIAG is very pleased to announce Councillor Muriel Weisz (Nottinghamshire County Council) has agreed to champion the views expressed from members of the group after a meeting in January 2014.
Aim of the group
DIAG’s principle focus is to enable engagement between disabled people, community and voluntary sector organisations that support disabled people, their carers and family members and Nottinghamshire County Council and other organisations that deliver services within the area.
The purpose of the group is to improve services for vulnerable and marginalised groups and individuals, including children and young people, who live, work in or visit Nottinghamshire. Also to contribute to the way services are delivered to individuals, carers, groups and challenge the way these are delivered now. Talking to individuals, carers and groups about the services they receive, identifying issues with services and look at how these can be improved by challenging and scrutinising the policies, procedures and services. Look at how to influence and help to change decision making processes.
Role of the group
- a valuable platform for disabled people’s organisations, disabled people and their carers and family members
- a structure for engaging with other relevant partners and agencies including gaining representation on other appropriate forums
- a good opportunity to challenge the barriers that have been built up over time including between different areas of disability
- opportunities to support agencies, access funds and resources
- an opportunity to hold statutory organisations to account and to advise in the design and delivery of services for disabled people by being involved at the beginning of the process and monitoring the outcomes
- identify priority issues that really matter to members of the group and to disabled people and for improving services to disabled people. Key themes identified for development are adult health and social care, community transport, community safety, personalisation and employment for disabled people, impact on welfare reform, monitoring reduction of services and the future impact.