ParliAble
ParliAble is a Workplace Equality Network (WEN) in support of disabled individuals who work in the UK Parliament. We support members of either House, their staff, staff of both Houses and the Parliamentary Digital Service, and others who work on the Parliamentary Estate.
Alongside providing peer support to our membership, we are passionate about helping Parliament to improve its awareness and understanding of disability issues – this means:
- supporting Parliament to identify and address the barriers that disabled people face;
- challenging any inaccessibility of our products, services and working environment;
- championing best practice in communication, language and etiquette; and
- supporting Parliament to make workplace adjustments.
About us
Our mission
- To increase awareness and appreciation of disability issues (both visible and non-visible) across the Parliamentary Estate.
- To provide a platform where people with disabilities or health conditions can find help and support.
- To progress disability and health condition-related equality objectives, alongside supporting the implementation of the diversity and inclusion strategies of both Houses and the Parliamentary Digital Service.
Our objectives
- To provide a supportive networking community for people who consider themselves to have a disability or health condition – as well as for people who have an interest in disability issues.
- To offer a “sign-posting” service to anyone who requires support and advice on any disability or health condition issue.
- To reflect and express the views of our Network to those responsible for equality, diversity and inclusion in both Houses and the Parliamentary Digital Service (including members of either House, as appropriate).
- To regularly provide a variety of events (including social events), which meet the needs and wishes of our Network.
- To organise and run a range of campaigns, in order to help raise awareness of particular issues.
- To support the improvement of accessibility across the Parliamentary Estate for the widest range of people (including visitors).
- To work in partnership with both Houses and the Parliamentary Digital Service, the other WENs and external organisations (as appropriate).
Our values
Our Committee and Network members will:
- Respect the privacy, confidentiality and dignity of all persons who come into contact with ParliAble.
- Treat all persons as equals regardless of: age; disability; gender (including gender reassignment); marital or civil partnership status; pregnancy and maternity; ethnicity or race; religion or belief; sexual orientation; socio-economic background; or caring responsibilities.
Who can get involved?
ParliAble membership is open to all Parliamentary passholders and non-passholders who are staff of members of either House. If individuals wish to be involved in ParliAble activity but are not within the two groups stated above, they may do so as associate members. Associate members are not able to vote on ParliAble activity or stand for the Committee, but are welcome to join ParliAble's mailing lists and attned events.
Membership is not restricted to people with disabilities, although those involved are required to respect the aims of the Network.