Join the Steering Group

The York Disability Rights Forum Steering Group is about working together to challenge the barriers that affect disabled people in York.

If you’re interested in being part of that, we’d really like to hear from you.

Read on to find out more.

What does the Steering Group do?

The Steering Group helps guide the direction of our work. This includes:

  • Identifying key issues affecting disabled people locally
  • Shaping campaigns, projects, and priorities
  • Working together to influence change in services, policy, and attitudes
  • Making sure disabled people’s voices are central to decision-making

Steering group members are part of shaping what we do and how we do it.

What is it like to be part of the group?

There is no single way to be a steering group member.

People contribute in different ways, depending on what works for them. This might include:

  • Attending meetings to represent York Disability Rights Forum (YDRF)
  • Sharing feedback and ideas in meetings
  • Contributing to campaigns
  • Considering multiple perspectives and helping shape discussions
  • Bringing perspectives from your own experiences or communities

We aim to create a space that is collaborative, respectful, and flexible—different communication styles and ways of taking part are valued (and celebrated!).

Who can join?

We welcome expressions of interest from disabled people and allies of the disabled community living, working or studying in York.

You do not need to:

  • Have formal qualifications or professional experience
  • Feel confident speaking in groups
  • Be able to attend every meeting

We recognise that people face different barriers and have different capacities. We are particularly keen to hear from people whose voices are often underrepresented.

Allies

Expressions of interest from allies of the disabled community are most welcome. We’d love to hear from anyone who shares our commitment to challenging disabling barriers and creating a more inclusive society.

We are looking for people who understand that disability inequality is created by barriers in society—not by disabled people themselves—and who want to work alongside disabled people to create change.

Ready to help lead the change?

If you have experience of navigating disabling barriers in your daily life, your perspective is important here. You don’t need previous experience of committees or leadership roles—lived experience is the valuable expertise we’re looking for.

We’re disabled-people led, and proud to be disabled!

Get in touch

Access and flexibility

We know that traditional ways of working can often leave people excluded. We’re committed to making participation as accessible and inclusive as possible. It’s who we are.

Our ways of working include:

  • Flexible ways to take part (for example, contributing in writing or by pre-recorded audio)
  • Online and hybrid meeting options
  • Openness to different communication styles
  • Support with access needs—without requiring you to justify them

If something isn’t working, we want to have that conversation and adapt where we can. This is important to us and our success.

Common questions

Interested? Let’s talk

You don’t need to make a big commitment straight away.

If you’re interested, you can:

  • Get in touch for an informal chat
  • Ask questions
  • Arrange to observe a meeting

We’re happy to talk things through so you can decide if it feels right for you.

Contact us: hello@ydrf.org.uk or visit our contact page for other ways to get in touch