Our mission is to act as the collective, representative voice of disabled people in Glasgow, promoting equality, rights and social justice.

GDA embraces the social model of disability which places responsibility on the organisation of society for the exclusion of and discrimination against disabled people.

GDA is committed to:

- Challenging and overcoming discrimination, disadvantage and exclusion
- Promoting involvement and disability-led, democratic action
- Empowering disabled people to influence and direct positive changes to improve the lives of disabled people in Glasgow
- Partnership Working

Our Aims are:

- To represent views, wishes and opinions of grassroots disabled people and provide disability expertise on various influential working groups and forums
- To increase opportunities for involvement and participation of disabled people for example in relation to policy making and service design and delivery
- To provide support to member organisations and individuals so that they input effectively and have greater influence in this process
- To encourage and maximise networking between disabled people, their organisations and policy makers
- To provide information in accessible formats to disabled people in Glasgow
- To provide programmes of capacity building and support for individuals and disability-led groups and organisations within Glasgow
- To provide advocacy for disabled people in Glasgow

Background

The organization began with a small group of disabled people who were fed up being ignored by policy makers and felt excluded from civil and political participation in the city. A city-wide organization was set up to challenge such exclusion and discrimination by bringing together both individuals and groups of disabled people. It was felt that we could enable disabled people to develop the skills and confidence to become a powerful voice by providing training and support. This would ensure that we were listened to and would no longer be invisible.

Membership now stands at 268, this includes 22 groups led by disabled people as well as individual disabled people in Glasgow. Members also comprise organisations and partner agencies who support our aims and these have associate membership status. We have representatives on Glasgow Access Panel, Inclusion Scotland and on Glasgow’s Equality Network Forum.

For more information please contact:
Glasgow Disability Alliance
Suite 301, The White Studios, Block 4
Templeton Business Centre
62 Templeton Street
Glasgow
tel: 0141 556 7103
fax: 0141 550 4937
email: tressaburke@gdaonline.co.uk
Website: http://www.gdaonline.co.uk

NEWS 2008:

News from GDA is now held on the ENF Blog

NEWS from 2007:

GDA Showcase Event: 3rd December
The Event will launch our ‘Top 10 Tips’ for working effectively to involve and empower disabled people and is an Awards Ceremony to acknowledge the achievements of our Learners who have become more empowered as citizens.

GDA Learning Opportunities:
GDA is running four different courses in November which will be FREE to disabled Glaswegians. These courses include:
Computer 'Movie Maker' - Monday 5th November 10am - 3pm
Confidence Building (3 day course) - Tuesdays 6th, 13th & 20th November 10am - 3pm
Computer 'Internet & E-mail' - Tuesday 13th November 10am - 3pm
Healthy Eating Cookery Class - Friday 16th November 10am - 12.30pm
These classes are a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. If you want more information or to book a place email Linda or telephone 0141 556 7103

GDA Learning Festival For Disabled People - 22nd June,11am - 3.30pm, Radisson SAS Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow

Delivering Right of Disabled People to Learn & be Active Citizens (Press Release 22/04/07)

Learning for Change: GDA Manifesto for 2007 Elections

GDA to provide Lifelong Learning for Disabled Glaswegians (02/03/06) http://www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=1006