Introducing... the Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living

Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living (DCIL) is an amalgamation of two organisations; the Derbyshire Centre for Integrated Living and the Derbyshire Coalition of Disabled People.

Since the 1980s both organisations were working for the full participation and equality of disabled people and the new DCIL continues to do this. DCIL is an organisation of disabled people, which means that disabled people are the driving force of what they do and how they do it.

Although based in Ripley, they have outreach points throughout the City and county. Their services include a massive information and resource department, a peer counselling service, community development and a payroll service for disabled people employing their own personal assistants through Direct Payments or Independent Living Funds. They also offer disability equality training at competitive rates.

DCIL offers membership to individuals or supporting organisations and has local members' meetings where relevant issues can be discussed and actions decided upon. Members support the view that it isn't people's bodies or minds that are the problem, rather it is society that disables them, by attitudes or services and facilities that take little or no account of their needs.

( If you'd like a full information pack about DCIL please contact the Information Department on 01773 740246, textphone 01773 748452 or email info@dcil.org.uk

(from Network News, Mar/Apr 2004)