The E in ABLE · Equal participation
Nothing about disabled people without disabled people.
Disabled people must be able to influence the decisions that affect their lives and participate fully in public, social and cultural life.
What equal participation means
Participation is meaningful when people can access the process, express their views, make choices and see those views taken seriously. It includes participation in public affairs, community life, education, work, culture, sport and recreation.
Disabled people are not one group with one perspective. Participation must include people with different impairments, support needs, communication methods and lived experiences.
Make participation meaningful
- Share information in advance and in accessible formats.
- Offer different ways to contribute.
- Allow enough time.
- Remove physical, sensory, communication and procedural barriers.
- Explain how people’s views informed the outcome.
Participation is a right and a source of knowledge. Decisions are stronger when the people affected can shape them.