African And African Ancestry Disability Justice Community Outreach And Engagement July 2024 to September 2024
Findings from the research on Freedom of Information (FOI January 2023) reveal the following: 1. A staggering 75% of organizations fail to document and store relevant information. 2. Merely 15% manage to provide partial qualitative and/or quantitative data. 3. Alarmingly, 85% of entities are unaware that their failure to record and gather data obstructs their ability to demonstrate compliance with the UK public sector duty. This duty necessitates the collection of data specifically related to the ethnic group concerned, to ensure policies, programs, and services are in line with the required standards of fairness and transparency.

“Our community agrees that promoting truth justice and fairness takes priority”
The African And African Ancestry Neurodivergent And Disability Justice Community in Partnership with BME Volunteers CIC works to support self-determination and economic fairness for Neurodivergent and Disabled People living in London and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Language And Context
When we refer to African and African Ancestry, we are specifically acknowledging the
individuals whom we have had the privilege to serve, collaborate with, and support that self-identify as.
These individuals are the key stakeholders who have actively taken part in our endeavours.
and went with us on our journey since our establishment.
Trust For London Disability Justice Fund Round 1 Disability Justice Community is acutely aware of the importance of not generalising our findings and lessons solely based on our work, as this may not accurately be the experiences of African and African Disabled People who may have different perspectives.
Our work is solely based on the evidence we have gathered through extensive research,
consultations, outreach efforts, and meaningful engagement within the London boroughs
where we work and other parts of the UK where our exposure has been limited.
Background
It seems that according to the Public Authorities who have responded to our communities Funding Values Freedom of Information Request, there is currently no concrete and organised system in place for collecting data that would enable Public Authorities to explicitly declare their efforts against corruption and account for funding allocated to those disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Additionally, UK Public Authorities are unable to determine how they fulfill their duty under the Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Duty.
In January 2023, BME Volunteers CIC sent correspondence to 430 UK Public Authorities, shedding light on a significant disparity in provisions catered specifically to African and African Ancestry individuals, referred to as "by and for" (Black-Owned or Black-led) initiatives.
Our investigation reveals an undeniable dearth of fair opportunities compared to other ethnicities.
???? Did you know that implementing the Disability Justice Community Benefits Assessment and Accountability toolkit, or a similar resource, can bring numerous benefits to organisations looking to improve compliance with the UK public sector duties? ????
Here are just a few of the impressive outcomes and advantages:
- Improved inclusivity and accessibility:
By actively involving individuals with disabilities and their representative organisations in decision-making processes, organisations gain valuable insights into their needs and experiences.
This paves the way for developing policies, programmes, and services that are truly inclusive and accessible, ensuring compliance with public sector duties.
Is it possible to create a society that welcomes everyone!
- Enhanced understanding and awareness:
The toolkit provides a framework for conducting a benefits self-assessment, helping organisations evaluate the impact of their practices on marginalized communities, particularly those with disabilities.
By analyzing the benefits and outcomes, organisations gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, empowering them to make necessary adjustments and better meet community needs.
Is knowledge power!
- Increased accountability and transparency:
Does Accountability matter!
The toolkit emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating compliance efforts.
By collecting and analyzing data on the lived experiences and outcomes of individuals with disabilities, organisations hold themselves accountable and foster transparency.
Is it possible to highlight our commitment to fulfilling responsibilities!
- Strengthened community partnerships:
By actively involving individuals with disabilities and their representative organisations, organisations can build strong partnerships and collaborations.
These partnerships often lead to a comprehensive understanding of community needs, enabling organisations to design and deliver services that are better tailored to their requirements.
Together, can we make a difference!
The toolkit encourages organisations to view compliance as a process of continuous improvement.
By regularly assessing benefits and outcomes, organisations find areas for refinement and take the right actions.
Can we foster a culture of learning and adaptation within our organisations!
In our view, implementing and giving feedback on the Disability Justice Community Benefits Assessment and Accountability toolkit, or a similar resource, can greatly benefit organisations seeking to improve compliance with the UK public sector duties.
Can we priorities accessibility, inclusivity, transparency, compliance, engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement to create an environment that is truly responsive to the needs of marginalized and underserved communities, especially those with disabilities?
????Together, can we contribute to a more fair and accessible United Kingdom Society! ✨
#AfricanAncestryDisabilityJustice #InclusionMatters #AccountabilityMatters #ContinuousImprovement #CommunityPartnerships
Data:
The findings from the FOI research data have revealed significant insights into the current state of data collection within organisations.
The FOI research data shows that a staggering 75% or more of organisations do not record any information at all (not all Public Authorities have responded).
This type of administration and lack of data collection inhibits the ability to effectively show compliance with the UK public sector duty.
Additionally, only 15% of organisations provide some form of qualitative and/or quantitative data, highlighting a lack of understanding about the importance of data collection, administration, and its impact on trust, transparency, and fairness.
BME Volunteers CIC analysis suggests that current policies are not inclusive, systems are discriminatory, and services are neither accessible nor inclusive, particularly affecting grassroots organisations working within London's third sector.
Observations:
- Lack of data collection hinders compliance with the UK public sector duty:
The FOI research data reveals that a significant majority of UK Public Authorities do not record any information.
This lack of data collection prevents them from effectively showing compliance with the UK public sector duty.
Without accurate and comprehensive data, organisations cannot ensure that their policies, programs, and services are in line with the requirements of specific ethnic groups.
This lack of data collection is concerning and poses challenges to achieving fairness and transparency within organizations.
Example:
An organisation that provides support services for individuals with disabilities may not collect data on the specific needs and experiences of African and African ancestry neurodivergent and disabled individuals. This lack of data prevents the organisation from tailoring its services to meet the unique requirements of this community, hindering its compliance with public sector duty.
- Limited provision of qualitative and/or quantitative data:
While 15% of organisations provide some form of qualitative and/or quantitative data, this percentage is relatively small.
However, it is a step in the right direction.
The data highlights that most organisations, approximately 85%, do not understand the importance of data collection and its impact on transparency and fairness.
This lack of awareness may contribute to the perpetuation of discriminatory systems and exclusionary policies.
Example:
An organisation may collect data on the demographics of its staff but does not gather information on the experiences and needs of marginalized communities.
This limited data collection perpetuates a lack of inclusivity and does not address the specific challenges faced by African and African ancestry Neurodivergent and Disabled individuals.
- Impact on grassroots organisations within London's third sector:
Our analysis of the FOI data suggests that current policies, systems, and services are not inclusive or accessible.
This has a particularly detrimental impact on grassroots organisations working within the United Kingdom's Third Sector.
These organisations struggle to advocate for the rights and needs of African and African ancestry Neurodivergent and Disabled individuals due to the lack of data supporting their cause.
The absence of comprehensive data collection hampers their ability to bring about positive change and address the specific challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Example:
A grassroots organisation working towards improving educational opportunities for African and African ancestry neurodivergent and disabled individuals may find it challenging to gather evidence and support their cause without comprehensive data on the experiences and needs of this community.
This lack of data collection limits the organisation's ability to advocate effectively for change.
Organisational Lived Experience:
The FOI research data reveals a pressing need or conversation for organisations to prioritize data collection.
Without accurate and comprehensive data, it is impossible to ensure fair and transparent compliance with the UK public sector duty.
The lack of inclusivity and accessibility highlighted by this research negatively affects the experiences of marginalised groups, particularly within the African and African ancestry neurodivergent and disability communities.
In our view, it is fair for organisations to recognize the importance of data collection, not only for compliance but also for promoting fairness, transparency, and inclusivity within their policies, systems, and services.
???? With Whom, For whom, Why, How, and When will your organisation or Borough Act! ????
We are reaching out to request a meeting with you.
We intend to engage in a meaningful conversation about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals.
As advocates of disability justice, the Equality Act 2010, and the United Kingdom Public Sector Duty, we are fully committed to upholding the rights of individuals from diverse communities, including those with disabilities.
We recognise the need for specific provisions, policies, systems, and services that cater to their unique requirements.
Our ultimate goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone can take part on a fair footing.
To achieve this, we are actively exploring measures that align with the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector duty.
These measures aim to address the distinct needs and challenges faced by individuals within our community.
- To ensure that individuals with disabilities are adequately supported, we have developed a comprehensive benefit assessment toolkit.
- This toolkit encompasses a wide range of provisions, policies, systems, and services that are specifically tailored to meet the requirements outlined in the UK Public Sector Duty.
By incorporating the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals with disabilities, we aim to transparently account for equal access to opportunities, resources, and support.
We passionately believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to thrive and contribute to society, regardless of their abilities.
Our commitment to inclusivity goes beyond mere compliance. We actively strive to foster an environment that surpasses legal obligations, promoting a culture of understanding, respect, and support.
We would like to invite you to take part in a small focus group, consisting of no more than 20 organisations and stakeholders in your borough or region.
The purpose of our conversation is to review and supply feedback on our toolkit, as well as offer insights on how provisions, policies, systems, and services can remain effective and responsive to the evolving needs of our diverse community.
Please refer to the attached Excel for supporting evidence.
The proposed schedule for the workshops is as follows (we are open to invitations from other boroughs and all organisations):
- July 2024: Bexley - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
- August 2024: Southwark - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
- September 2024: Lewisham - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
- September 2024: Newham - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
- October 2024: Croydon - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
- October 2024: Royal Greenwich - Steering Group Workshop (2 hours)
???? Did you agree that implementing the Disability Justice Community Benefits Assessment and Accountability toolkit, or a similar resource, can bring numerous benefits to organisations looking to improve compliance with the UK public sector duties? ????
Summary of 1st and subsequent questions depending on the first response.
African and African Ancestry Equality and Justice Communities must come together to work towards greater “by and for” diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility for all families.
????????Looking after our physical, psychological, and physiological well-being is vital. Here are 7 areas where small changes may make a big difference:
???? Reframe unhelpful thoughts and be present
????????♂️ Exercise in water ???? or swim regularly
????????♀️Fast
???? Connect with others
???? Eat and Drink natural foods
???? Do something for others
???? Write a letter to future you