In memory of Graham Findlay

Donations towards the Access to Politics Project

Graham was a long-standing disabled people’s rights activist, who worked with Disability Wales (DW), the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru and Scope. He was an Access Auditor and had specialist expertise in housing policy. Over the years he spearheaded various initiatives in accessible housing and Co-Chaired the National Advisory Group for DRILL (Disability Research into Independent Living and Learning).

His contribution to disabled people’s rights, especially in the field of accessible housing was immense. He will be greatly missed by all.

Graham was greatly interested in and fully supported the goals of the Access to Politics project. Given his longstanding commitment to disabled people’s rights and encouragement and support to upcoming disabled activists, his family believe that it is a fitting cause for donations in his name.

The Access to Politics project facilitated by Disability Wales, aims to address the critical need for Politics to be more inclusive and representative of Deaf and disabled people and ensure greater diversity among decision makers and better informed public policy. It has created a cross-party Disabled People’s Grassroots Politics Network providing peer-to peer support, training and mentoring to develop the knowledge and skills of members to stand for elected office. It has also developed and recently launched the Access to Politics Charter which was co-produced with the network and provides practical advice on how to ensure political parties in Wales can be more inclusive.

However, there is much more this project can do including continuing to develop the network, create toolkits that provide practical information on how to get involved in politics and stand for elected office, and generally advocate for the rights of Deaf and disabled people to fully and effectively participate in political life.

To find out more about the Access to Politics project please visit our website https://www.disabilitywales.org/