Government is urged to re-address the balance of Equality, Race and Disability - a generation of disabled children, young people and their families overlooked

Include Me TOO have organised a roundtable discussion taking place next week at the House of Lords, to be hosted by Baroness Uddin a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability and All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism. Lord Chris Holmes MBE, Disability Commissioner and Chair of the Disability Committee at the Equality and Human Rights Commission will also be supporting the event and attending as a Key Speaker.

During the discussions, evidence and concerns highlighting the failings and missed opportunities of the SEND reforms in relation to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) disabled children, young people and their families will be shared as a call to action is required.

Include Me TOO are working jointly with Equalities National Council (ENC) who are equally concerned regarding transition of BAME disabled young people entering adulthood and  the cycle of poor outcomes and missed opportunities.

Julie J Charles the Chief Executive of (ENC) will be presenting at this event alongside Parmi Dheensa Executive Director of Include Me TOO. They collectively have over 50 years’ experience in this field which includes campaigning, service delivery, advisory roles and disability rights.

 ‘Over the last decade there has been substantial resources over £1.5 billion made available to improve services and support to disabled children (birth to 25 years) and their families. However there also has been lack of positive action and commitment to ensure BAME disabled children, young people and their families do not continue to be disadvantaged and excluded.

The continuous missed opportunities and evident lack of consideration of equality duties in relation for BAME disabled children, young people and their families has further increased the difficulties they previously have experienced which are well documented in numerous studies and research. Why are their needs been overlooked?

There are many pertinent questions which need answering and at this RoundTable event we present an opportunity to progress, review current practice and bias and only then can we readdress the balance’. Parmi Dheensa said (Executive Director of Include Me TOO)