Disability Wales

Today, we’re celebrating 25 years of our Chief Executive, Rhian Davies!

Rhian joined Disability Wales for the second time in 2001, beginning a quarter of a century of leadership, campaigning and dedication to the rights of disabled people in Wales.

During that time, Rhian has helped shape DW into the organisation it is today; a strong, respected voice for disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations, campaigning for change, influencing policy and making sure that disabled people’s voices and lived experience are heard.

From the beginning, Rhian has been a tireless champion of the Social Model of Disability and of disabled people’s leadership. In 2003, DW formally adopted the Social Model and committed to being an organisation run and controlled by disabled people, a commitment that has guided and underpinned our work ever since.

Rhian’s leadership has taken DW into rooms where decisions are made, working with Welsh Government, contributing to the Disability Rights Taskforce, championing independent living and bringing the experiences and voices of disabled people into national and international forums.

Twenty-five years is an incredible milestone, and while so much has changed during that time, Rhian’s commitment has remained constant: to challenge inequality, to amplify disabled people’s voices and leadership, and to keep pushing for a Wales where disabled people can live with dignity, choice and autonomy.

Thank you, Rhian, for your leadership, mentorship, dedication and commitment.
Thank you for challenging the status quo.
And thank you for everything you have done — and continue to do — to make Wales a more equitable and inclusive place for disabled people.

Here’s to 25 years, and the next chapter. Llongyfarchiadau enfawr! 🎉

Image description: Rhian wearing a deep purple blouse with a subtle pattern with a lanyard around her neck. Her hand is slightly raised from the table, showing a white beaded bracelet that adorns her wrist. Her head is turned slightly to one side as if listening to someone speaking off camera.

Beth sydd y tu fewn i Becyn Cymorth Mynediad at Wleidyddiaeth? 💭

Mae'r Pecyn Cymorth yn ymdrin â gwahanol gamau o ymwneud â gwleidyddiaeth, o benderfynu a ddylech gymryd rhan hyd at ymuno â phlaid wleidyddol, dod yn ymgeisydd, cael eich ethol neu sefyll fel ymgeisydd annibynnol.

Mae hefyd yn cynnwys gwybodaeth am addasiadau rhesymol, fframweithiau cyfreithiol, budd-daliadau a materion ariannol, datblygiad personol, a manylion cyswllt ar gyfer cyngor a chymorth pellach.

Mae'r Pecyn Cymorth wedi'i gynllunio i ddarparu man cychwyn ar gyfer eich taith wleidyddol a helpu i wneud bywyd gwleidyddol yn haws i'w lywio.

🔗 Lawrlwythwch y Pecyn Cymorth llawn: https://www.disabilitywales.org/yn-cyflwyno-pecyn-cymorth-mynediad-at-wleidyddiaeth/?lang=cy

Disgrifiad llun. Testun glas tywyll ac oren ar gefndir gwyn yn dweud: Pecyn Cymorth Mynediad at Wleidyddiaeth. Canllawiau cam wrth gam i bobl anabl ar wahanol gamau o'u taith wleidyddol. Lawrlwythwch! Mae amlinelliadau o wahanol siapiau geometrig ar ochr dde'r graffeg, yn cynnwys cylchoedd, trionglau a chroesau mewn glas, oren a gwyrdd-las. Mae tri logo dwyieithog ar y gwaelod: Anabledd Cymru, Rhwydwaith Llawr Gwlad Mynediad at Wleidyddiaeth, a Llywodraeth Cymru.

What’s inside the Access to Politics Toolkit? 💭

The Toolkit covers different stages of political involvement, from deciding whether to get involved through to joining a political party, becoming a candidate, being elected or standing as an independent.

It also includes information on reasonable adjustments, legal frameworks, benefits and financial concerns, personal development, and contacts for further advice and support.

The Toolkit is designed to provide a starting point for your political journey and help make political life easier to navigate.

🔗 Download the full Toolkit: https://www.disabilitywales.org/introducing-the-access-to-politics-toolkit/

Image description: Bold text on a white background reads: Access to Politics Toolkit. Step-by-step guidance for disabled people at different stages of their political journey. Download today! Outlines of different geometrical shapes decorate the right side of the graphic, they include circles, triangles and crosses in blue, orange and teal. Three bilingual logos are at the bottom: Disability Wales, Access to Politics Grassroots Network and Welsh Government.

📣 Have your say on volunteering in sport and physical activity!

Disability Sport Wales wants to hear from disabled people about their experiences of volunteering.

Whether you currently volunteer, have volunteered in the past, or have never volunteered but might like to in the future, your views matter.

Your feedback will help identify what’s working well, what needs to change, and support the development of more accessible and inclusive volunteering opportunities across Wales.

The survey is available with BSL videos, in Welsh and in Easy Read.

Take the survey:

Volunteering Survey We want to hear from disabled people across Wales, whether you already volunteer in sport or physical activity, have volunteered in the past, or have never volunteered before but might like to.

📣 Dweud eich dweud am wirfoddoli ym myd chwaraeon a gweithgaredd corfforol!

Mae Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru eisiau clywed gan bobl anabl am eu profiadau o wirfoddoli.

P'un a ydych chi'n gwirfoddoli ar hyn o bryd, wedi gwirfoddoli yn y gorffennol, neu heb wirfoddoli erioed ond efallai yr hoffech wneud hynny yn y dyfodol, mae eich barn yn bwysig.

Bydd eich adborth yn helpu i nodi beth sy'n gweithio'n dda a beth sydd angen newid, ac yn cefnogi datblygu cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli mwy hygyrch a chynhwysol ledled Cymru.

Mae'r arolwg ar gael gyda fideos Iaith Arwyddion Prydain, yn Gymraeg ac mewn fformat Hawdd ei Ddeall.

Cwblhewch yr arolwg:

Arolwg Gwirfoddoli Rydym eisiau clywed gan bobl anabl ledled Cymru, boed chi eisoes yn gwirfoddoli mewn chwaraeon neu weithgarwch corfforol, wedi gwirfoddoli yn y gorffennol, neu erioed wedi gwirfoddoli o'r blaen ond efallai'n hoffi gwneud hynny.

Last week, we hosted our Meet the Senedd Members event.

We were delighted to meet with 22 Senedd Members and their representatives to talk about the issues and barriers facing disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations across Wales.

We discussed a range of key priorities, including the Disabled People’s Rights Plan, the Access to Politics Toolkit, the Access to Elected Office Fund Wales, and the barriers disabled people continue to face in participating in political and public life.

The event is part of our work over the past few months to meet all 96 Members of the Senedd, helping to ensure disabled people’s rights, experiences and voices are firmly on the political agenda.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us and engage with these important issues, and to Dr Gareth
Thomas MS for kindly sponsoring the event.

We look forward to continuing these conversations, strengthening our relationships across the Senedd and working together to ensure disabled people’s rights are at the heart of decision-making in Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

📷 Photos by Natasha Hirst.

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Yr wythnos diwethaf, cynhaliom ein digwyddiad 'Cwrdd ag Aelodau'r Senedd'.

Roeddem yn falch o gwrdd â 22 o Aelodau'r Senedd a'u cynrychiolwyr i drafod y materion a'r rhwystrau sy'n wynebu pobl anabl a Sefydliadau Pobl Anabl ledled Cymru.

Buom yn trafod amrywiaeth o flaenoriaethau allweddol, gan gynnwys y Cynllun Hawliau Pobl Anabl, y Pecyn Cymorth Mynediad at Wleidyddiaeth, y Gronfa Mynediad i Swyddi Etholedig Cymru, a'r rhwystrau y mae pobl anabl yn parhau i'w hwynebu wrth gymryd rhan mewn bywyd gwleidyddol a chyhoeddus.

Mae'r digwyddiad yn rhan o'n gwaith dros y misoedd diwethaf i gwrdd â phob un o'r 96 o Aelodau'r Senedd, gan helpu i sicrhau bod hawliau, profiadau a lleisiau pobl anabl yn cael eu cynnwys ar yr agenda wleidyddol.

Diolch i bawb a dreuliodd amser i ymgysylltu â ni am y materion pwysig hyn, ac i Dr Gareth Thomas AS am noddi'r digwyddiad.

Edrychwn ymlaen at barhau â'r sgyrsiau hyn, cryfhau ein perthnasoedd ar draws y Senedd a gweithio gyda'n gilydd i sicrhau bod hawliau pobl anabl wrth wraidd y broses o wneud penderfyniadau yng Nghymru. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Image descriptions:
1. DW staff including Kat Watkins, her assistance dog, Leandra Craine, Linus Harrison and Rhian Davies are stood with Dr Gareth Thomas MS who is holding a sign which says Nothing About Us Without Us. Behind them is a DW banner with the organisation’s bilingual logo and description.

2. DW staff members, Leandra, Rhian and Kat standing with Sioned Williams MS. Rhian is holding a board that says ‘Nothing about us without us’ and Sioned Williams is holding a sign saying ‘Building a more inclusive and barrier free Wales’.

3. DW Chief Executive Rhian Davies and Access to Politics Project Officer, Kat Watkins, with her assistance dog, standing with Shav Taj MS who is holding a board which says ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’.

4. DW staff, MSs and staffers deep in conversation in different groups.

5. DW staff members sat by a table in a circle talking with staffers for two MSs.

📢 Applications are now open!

The Access to Elected Office Fund Wales provides financial support for disabled people standing for election in the May 2027 Local Government elections.

The Fund can help cover impairment-related costs, including BSL interpreters, personal assistants, accessible transport, assistive technology and more.

It is open to candidates standing for a political party or as independents.

You don’t have to wait until you’re formally declared as a candidate to apply. Applying early means provisional approval can be granted and your support needs can be assessed in advance.

📩 Find out more and apply: https://www.disabilitywales.org/projects/access-to-elected-office-fund-wales/



Image descriptions:

1. White text on an orange and blue background reads: Funding available for Disabled Election Candidates in Wales. Access to Elected Office Fund Wales. Apply Now! There are three bilingual logos along the bottom: Disability Wales, Access to Elected Office Fund and Welsh Government.

2. White text on a navy background reads: What is the Access to Elected Office Fund Wales? The fund supports disabled people seeking elected office in Wales. It helps remove access barriers for disabled candidates in the 2027 Local elections. Disabled people can apply for financial assistance to cover impairment-related costs.

3. What can the fund pay for?

BSL interpreters.
Personal Assistants.
Accessible Transport.
Assistive Technology.
And more...

Tailored to your access needs.

4. How can I apply?

The fund is open to candidates standing for a political party or as independents

Applications will be anonymised and assessed by an independent panel.

For further information visit the Disability Wales website or email
[email protected]

📢 Mae ceisiadau nawr ar agor!

Mae Cronfa Mynediad i Swyddi Etholedig Cymru yn darparu cymorth ariannol i bobl anabl sy'n sefyll yn etholiadau Llywodraeth Leol mis Mai 2027.

Gall y Gronfa helpu i dalu costau sy'n gysylltiedig â nam, gan gynnwys dehonglwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain, cynorthwywyr personol, trafnidiaeth hygyrch, technoleg gynorthwyol a mwy.

Mae ar agor i ymgeiswyr sy'n sefyll dros blaid wleidyddol neu fel ymgeiswyr annibynnol.

Nid oes rhaid i chi aros nes eich bod wedi'ch cyhoeddi'n ffurfiol fel ymgeisydd cyn gwneud cais. Mae ymgeisio yn gynnar yn golygu y gellir rhoi cymeradwyaeth dros dro ac asesu eich anghenion cymorth ymlaen llaw.

📩 Dysgwch fwy a gwnewch gais: https://www.disabilitywales.org/projects/access-to-elected-office-fund-wales/?lang=cy

Disgrifiad lluniau:
1. Testun gwyn ar gefndir glas tywyll ac oren yn dweud: Cyllid ar gael ar gyfer Ymgeiswyr Anabl yn Etholiadau Cymru. Cronfa Mynediad i Swyddi Etholedig Cymru. Gwnewch gais nawr! Mae tri logo dwyieithog ar waelod y graffeg: Anabledd Cymru. Cronfa Mynediad i Swyddi Etholedig Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru.

2. Beth yw'r Gronfa Mynediad i Swyddi Etholedig Cymru? Mae’r gronfa yn cefnogi pobl anabl sy’n ceisio am swyddi etholedig yng Nghymru.

Mae’n helpu i gael gwared ar y rhwystrau sy’n wynebu ymgeiswyr anabl yn Etholiadau Lleol 2027.

Gall pobl anabl wneud cais am gymorth ariannol i dalu costau sy’n gysylltiedig â nam.

3. Beth allwch chi ddefnyddio'r gronfa i dalu amdano?
Dehonglwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain.
Cynorthwywyr Personol.
Trafnidiaeth Hygyrch.
Technolegau Cynorthwyol.
A llawer mwy...
Wedi'i deilwra i'ch anghenion chi.

4. Sut mae gwneud cais? Mae’r gronfa’n agored i ymgeiswyr sy’n sefyll dros unrhyw blaid wleidyddol neu fel ymgeisydd annibynnol.

Mae pob cais yn cael ei gyflwyno’n ddienw gerbron panel annibynnol.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth ewch i wefan Anabledd Cymru neu anfonwch e-bost i
[email protected].

Eisiau gwybod am yr hyn rydym wedi bod yn gweithio arno dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf a beth sydd i ddod nesaf?

Ymunwch â ni ar-lein ar gyfer ein Cynhadledd Flynyddol a'n Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol, lle byddwn yn rhannu'r diweddaraf am ein gwaith, yn siarad drwy ein prosiectau cyffrous, ac yn edrych ymlaen at y flwyddyn i ddod.

Byddwn hefyd yn croesawu Cerys Davage, crëwr a chyflwynydd y podlediad poblogaidd Unbalanced, a'r Athro Debbie Foster, Cyd-gadeirydd y Bwrdd Ymgynghorol Allanol ar gyfer y Cynllun Hawliau Pobl Anabl.

🗓 Dydd Mercher 21 Hydref | 10yb–1yp.

Archebwch eich lle: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disability-wales-agm-and-annual-conference-2026-tickets-2001059073556?aff=oddtdtcreator

Disgrifiad llun: Testun gwyn ar gefndir glas tywyll yn darllen: Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol a Chynhadledd Flynyddol Anabledd Cymru 2026. 21 Hydref. 10yb-1yp. Ar-lein. Mae tri chylch oren wrth ymyl yr amser, y dyddiad a'r lleoliad, gyda symbolau calendr, cloc a sgrin ym mhob un. O dan y testun mae blwch oren gyda'r geiriau 'Archebwch nawr' a saeth yn pwyntio i'r dde. Ar yr ochr dde, mae troellau glas ac oren sy'n debyg i logo AC yn ymestyn i fyny'r graffig, ac mae'r logo ei hun yn y gornel dde isaf.

Want to find out about what we’ve been working on over the past year and what’s coming next?

Join us online for our Annual Conference and AGM, where we’ll share updates on our work, showcase the latest from some of our exciting projects, and look to the year ahead.

We’re also delighted to be joined by Cerys Davage, creator and host of the popular Unbalanced podcast, and Prof. Debbie Foster, Co-Chair of the External Advisory Board for the Disabled People’s Rights Plan.

🗓 Wednesday 21 October | 10am–1pm.

Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disability-wales-agm-and-annual-conference-2026-tickets-2001059073556?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image description: White text on a navy background reads: Disability Wales AGM and Annual Conference 2026. 21 October. 10am-1pm. Online. Three orange circles are beside the time, date and location with a calendar, clock and screen symbols in each. Below the text is an orange box with the words 'Book your place' with an arrow pointing right. On the right side, blue and orange swirls resembling the DW logo climb the graphic and the logo itself is in the bottom right corner.