Why London Needs a #DisabilityEqualityChampion
On 5th September 2024, the London Assembly made a historic commitment to Disabled Londoners by unanimously supporting a motion calling on the Mayor to take a more strategic approach to policies affecting the 1.2 million Disabled people living in our city. This motion, co-produced with Inclusion London, reaffirms the Assembly’s commitment to the Social Model of Disability and the urgent need to address the systemic barriers that continue to exclude Disabled Londoners from fully participating in society.
Among its key proposals, the motion calls for the appointment of a Disability Equality Champion within the Greater London Authority (GLA). This role would be instrumental in leading the development of a London Disability Action Plan, ensuring that all GLA functions - including housing, transport, employment, and public services - embed accessibility, inclusion, and co-production from the outset.
The Need for a Disability Equality Champion
For too long, policies that directly impact Disabled people have been developed without our voices at the table. Despite some progress in engaging Disabled Londoners, such as through Transport for London’s (TfL) ‘All Aboard’ research panel, much of the capital’s infrastructure still fails to meet our needs. Disabled people continue to face:
Austerity-driven cuts to essential services
Disproportionate poverty and unemployment
Barriers in transport, housing, and public spaces
Exclusion from cultural, leisure, and sporting activities
The role of a Disability Equality Champion would ensure that the lived experiences of Disabled Londoners shape decision-making across the GLA. Rather than being treated as an afterthought, accessibility and inclusion would be embedded from the very start of policy development.
A Strategic Approach to Disability Equality
The motion highlights the need for a coordinated, cross-cutting approach, not just one-off initiatives or symbolic commitments. A London Disability Action Plan would set out concrete actions, measurable targets, and accountability mechanisms to address the barriers that Disabled people face.
Key demands include:
✅ A dedicated Disability Equality Champion, separate from the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, to ensure a city-wide focus on disability rights.
✅ Meaningful co-production, where Disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) play an active role in shaping policies and services.
✅ A strategic, long-term plan to tackle accessibility gaps in housing, transport, employment, and public spaces.
Time for Action
The London Assembly has spoken, but now, the Mayor must act. The need for real change is urgent. Disabled Londoners have been among the hardest hit by austerity, the COVID pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis. We cannot afford more empty promises or piecemeal approaches.
The appointment of a Disability Equality Champion is a necessary step toward a more inclusive London. We urge the Mayor to take this motion seriously, engage with us, and commit to delivering real, systemic change.
Sign the petition today and help make this a reality.
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