An event is being held next month to give disabled people in Suffolk the opportunity to talk to the organisations with responsibility for the decisions and services which affect their lives.

This event will begin with a short update on the work of the Disability Forum for Suffolk followed by three workshop sessions for disabled people to talk about their specific issues and concerns. Statutory organisations attending include Suffolk County Council, the district and borough councils, Suffolk Constabulary, the NHS in Suffolk, Probation Service, Job Centre Plus and Suffolk New College.

Their representatives will be there to listen to the issues and problems that disabled people and disability organisations face and take these back to their organisations so that solutions can be identified and further action taken. This event is different in that statutory organisations really do want to hear about the difficulties that disabled people and family carers face so this is a real chance to tell them how it is.

The day is being organised by the Suffolk Joint Diversity Working Group and will be chaired by Linda Hoggarth from Optua and Hilda from ACE.

Linda Hoggarth said, “All the organisations involved in organising this event agree how important it is to ensure statutory organisations take on board the real issues that disabled people face because it can still be very hard for disabled people to get a job, have the right housing, get out and about to go shopping, to the theatre or out for a meal, or just meet friends.


“We know people feel frustrated when they come along to events and don’t feel they have a chance to get their views and personal experiences across and how they think no one ever listens to what they say. This is a chance for this to happen and for the people who run your services to hear what it’s really like to be a disabled person in Suffolk.”

Anyone with a physical, learning or sensory disability or a mental health issue can come along. Family carers or representatives from disability groups or voluntary organisations are welcome to come too.

For more information, please contact Optua on 01473 836746 or email [email protected].