- Conference
- 2011 National Disabled Members' Conference
- Date
- 6 June 2011
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes the growth of on-line communities and social networking and the potential opportunities they offer for on-line activity for young and other disabled people.
Conference notes the significant number of entries by disabled people to the “TUC’s 60 second advert” competition 2011. Conference also notes the growth of ‘armchair army’ online campaign groups e.g. supporting the 26th March demonstration in support of public services, which gave voice and the opportunity to participate in complementary online actions to the very many people prevented from attending the march itself on the day (a large number of those people citing disability as their reason for not doing so).
Conference believes that such campaigning must never be seen as a substitute for breaking down barriers which deter or prevent disabled people from participating in union activities, but that this may present ways of reaching more members and developing complementary methods of campaigning.
Conference also believes that disabled people and their families are disproportionately likely to have a low income, and that training to use such resources and access to the technology for such on-line resources may be unaffordable or very limited.
Conference therefore calls on the National Disabled Members Committee to:
(i)Draw up bargaining advice for branches on how they can raise this issue in respect of employers providing appropriate training and access to relevant technology for disabled workers;
(ii) Promote information on a regular basis to disabled members about appropriate on-line campaigning opportunities.