27.11.25 Minutes of Disabled People’s Action Forum

Minutes of Disabled People’s Action Forum 27.11.25

1. Introduction of KeyRing

KeyRing is a charity that provides social care support in England. It supports people to develop their skills and get connected in with their community. Since Summer 2025, KeyRing has had a new contract in Southwark. They have been commissioned by Southwark Council to run the Disability Hub which is an information and guidance service for residents in the borough. As part of their contract, they will also support the facilitation of the Disabled People’s Action Forum.

1. Defined KeyRing’s role in the forum

• Initially, KeyRing will support with planning and co-chairing
• KeyRing will book the venue/ liaise with relevant parties around accessibility features (as and when they are needed)
• KeyRing will communicate with Community Engagement team/ Council/ relevant teams to try and get the appropriate people to attend the forum
• KeyRing will market and publicise the forum

1. Agreed Code of Conduct/ Purpose of forum

This forum is an advocacy group representing the voices of disabled people in the borough of Southwark. The forum identifies issues/ concerns/ areas of interest for people in the borough and advocates for disabled people on these topics.

KeyRing asked for feedback on the Code of Conduct.

1. Governance style

This forum is open to all members and allies. It will meet quarterly. It will identify topics for separate working groups that will meet outside of the quarterly meeting. For example, working groups could discuss topics such as housing, public services or transport or it could be campaign focussed such as access to a particular train station.

The working groups will be issue based and will meet independently of the quarterly forums. They will meet to develop reports and proposals.

The reports of the working groups will come back to the forum which can decide what action should follow. It will also coordinate the agenda and communications with members and external stakeholders.

In addition, this forum will promote opportunities for consultation initiated by other organisations.

1. Identification of key topics the forum would like to work on

These were identified as:

1. Housing
2. Transport
3. Inclusion and Communication

See Annex 1 for a more detailed summary.

1. Identification of common focus within these 3 topics

• Staff understanding of disability (more than physical) and social model of disability
• Transparency in decision making, accountability and complaints processes
• Better accessibility (suitability of housing, lifts at stations, understanding access requirements within all customer-facing Council teams)

1. Next steps

• KeyRing will share the forum minutes with Southwark Community Engagement Team and their commissioner.
• KeyRing will work alongside Southwark Community Engagement Team to come up with a timetable of forum meetings for 2026.
• KeyRing will invite key council representatives with power to make change to the 2026 forums.
• KeyRing will invite Forum members to sign up to the Disability Hub newsletter where they can be informed of any upcoming council consultation or coproduction opportunities.

Annex 1: Summary of notes from attendees of forum

1. Housing

Accessibility

• Long waits for accessible and appropriate housing.
• Unclear prioritisation of disabled people in the allocation process and who makes decisions.
• Lack of detailed information when bidding for housing (e.g., accessibility features, photos).
• Bidding platform is difficult to use and not accessible.

Support & Repairs

• Shortage of adapted/supported housing and inefficient pathways (e.g., Occupational Therapy delays).
• Poor follow-on support when moving from supported to independent housing.
• Issues with repairs not being prioritised for disabled tenants.
• Reports of harassment/hate crime not taken seriously.

Staff Knowledge, Training & Accountability

• Limited understanding of disabilities beyond physical, including neurodivergence (housing officers identified specifically).
• Feeling disbelieved or dismissed due to being labelled “vulnerable.”
• Need for a dedicated disability housing officer.
• Confidentiality concerns—personal information shared unnecessarily with contractors.

Communication & Complaints

• Complaints processes lack consistency and transparency.
• Hard to contact housing teams; unclear escalation routes.
• Need for accessible, transparent decision-making and complaint pathways.
• Desire for simpler processes for requesting new housing officers.

2. Inclusion & Community

Activities & Connection

• Limited social and leisure activities for disabled residents.
• Feelings of isolation and disconnection from the disabled community.
• Events and public activities often not fully accessible.

Information

• Poor visibility of disability services (Resource Centre, Disability Hub).
• Need better signposting to support, services, and available funding.
• Desire for stronger advocacy and Speak Up services.

Training & Awareness Across Services

• Need more training in disability awareness, the social model of disability, Makaton, BSL, and working with non-verbal or non-speaking people.
• Lack of understanding of intersectionality and its impact.

Transitions & Lifelong Support

• Insufficient structured support for transitions (school → teens → adulthood).
• Need for clearer guidance for parents, such as transition information booklets.

Privacy & Data Handling

• Concerns about personal information being shared with contractors.
• Barriers to self-identifying due to stigma and unclear data practices.

3. Transport

Accessibility

• Bus drivers not pulling up to curbs or using ramps correctly.
• Lack of space for multiple wheelchair users and carers.
• Need for better-trained, more helpful drivers.

Services & Reliability

• Reliability issues with Commcabs/Taxicard; inability to carry over unused rides.
• Need for improved disabled parking and enforcement of onboard disabled spaces.

Infrastructure Gaps

• Lifts needed at Elephant & Castle and Peckham Rye.
• Need for disabled toilet at Queens Road Peckham.
• More disabled-friendly seating at bus stops.

Eligibility

• Confusion around who decides Freedom Pass eligibility.
• Hidden disabilities and mental health needs not recognised in Freedom pass application.
• Objections to mandatory PIP forms due to data privacy concerns.
• Problems with the local Blue Badge team.

Complaints & Accountability

• TFL complaints often unanswered.
• Need clear, accessible complaint processes and someone local to speak to.

4. Ideas & Solutions Proposed

Training & Culture Change

• Comprehensive disability and neurodiversity training for all council and housing staff.
• Adoption of the social model of disability across all services.
• Better training for contractors on confidentiality and respectful communication.

Structures & Governance

• Create a Disability Office within the communications team.
• Embed co-design across the council.
• Improve transparency in decision-making and complaints.

Engagement

• Actively involve disabled residents in consultations and decisions.
• Improve communication and visibility of services.