Disability Wales (DW) is the national membership body of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) striving to achieve rights for all disabled people.
As of 23 March 2026, DW launched a new membership structure which includes changes to the names of member types, the benefits of being a member of Disability Wales and the removal of any costs to being a member, for all membership types.
To find out more about our membership, please watch the below video!
What do we do?
We have a wide remit of work including:
- Championing the Social Model of Disability across all sectors of society.
- Campaigning to influence public policy and attitudes.
- Community-building for Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), through working together to develop knowledge, skills and networks.
Benefits of membership
As a member you can be kept to date on our progress and key issues. Benefits of being a member include:
- Showing your support for our work
- Monthly e-News direct to your inbox
- Information about campaign events and support packs
- Invitations to consultation events and briefings
- Focus groups, events and seminars
- Annual conference and general meeting
- Opportunities to participate in discussion panels and task groups on disabled people’s issues
- Regular membership survey to inform DW priorities
There are also additional benefits to being an organisation member, specific to each membership type.
All organisations will have the following benefits:
- Signing up to Disability Wales campaigns
- Disability Wales can share information on behalf of your organisation, that is in line with our strategic goals and values and via monthly emails
Types of Membership
Membership with Disability Wales is open to all organisations and individuals who support our strategic goals and values.
Full Membership – Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs)
To qualify as a Full Member DPO your organisation’s constitution must stipulate that disabled people are in the majority of voting membership of their organisations by at least 51%, and, where applicable, on their Executive Committee or other governing body that disabled people are in the majority by at least 51%.
To support the applicant organisation and ensure the constitutional criteria is met, all applicants will be invited to a meeting with the Business and Membership Officer to discuss their application before it is reviewed by the Board of Directors.
Benefits of being a Full Member DPO:
- Voting rights at general meetings and opportunity to nominate members to the board of directors
- Listing on DW’s DPO webpage to include logo and organisation information
- Early bird opportunities for specific events
- Access to basic policy language and terminology to support DPOs with producing policies in line with the Social Model of Disability. Please note that this is a written library, Disability Wales is unable to provide 1:1 policy support to DPOs at this time.
Associate Memberships
Individuals and Allies
This includes disabled and non-disabled people.
Affiliates
Organisations that fit under this type are generally grassroots groups that share the values of DPOs without meeting the constitutional criteria. Affiliate organisations would include:
- Access Groups
- Coalitions of disabled people
- Disability Forum
- Community of Interest Groups
- Housing Association Disabled People’s Group
- Centre for Independent Living
Benefits for Affiliate members include:
- Affiliate organisations listed on DW website with a link to access their online information
- Early bird opportunities for specific events
- Signing up to Disability Wales campaigns
Supporters
Organisations that fit under this type are larger organisations and professional bodies. Supporter organisations would include:
- Town and Community Councils
- County Councils
- Housing Associations
- Charities with >£1m Gross Income
- Professional Bodies
- Third Sector Support Services
- Trades Unions
- Impairment Specific Independent Living Service Providers (not for profit)
*Note: In line with DW’s strategic goals and values, we do not accept membership applications from for-profit service providers, such as private care companies and at-cost benefit advisors.
Benefits for Supporter members include:
- List of supporters available on website
- Signing up to Disability Wales campaigns
Frequently Asked Questions
I am an individual member, do I have voting rights?
Only our Full Member Disabled People Organisations have voting rights, all other forms of membership are associate members, as such you cannot vote.
I completed the individual application form but did not get a welcome email, has something gone wrong?
Don’t worry! We input our membership data manually so please expect it to take up to 10 working days for your membership to be processed and a welcome email sent to you.
My organisation is keen to be a full member DPO but we are not sure if our constitution meets the criteria?
Feel free to contact DW with any questions or queries regarding meeting the criteria for full DPO membership.
My organisation has applied to be a member, what is the process?
When we receive your application, we will send you a confirmation email. DPO applicants will also receive an invitation to meet with the Business and Membership Officer to discuss their organisation and eligibility. All organisation members need to be approved by our board of directors who meet bi-monthly. Therefore, you can expect to hear from us up to 3 months after your initial application. In your confirmation email we will let you know when to expect to hear about your membership.
How do I get in touch if I have a question and want to contact the membership team directly?
You can contact our membership team by emailing membership@disabilitywales.org
