Northern Ireland Disability Stakeholders Forum

The Disability Employer Stakeholder Forum is a cohesive and collaborative group which aims to support and influence the full implementation of the Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.

Forum members work collectively to ensure that this strategy delivers positive outcomes and tackles the major challenges that disabled people face when trying to access the local labour market, or progress within their employment career.

The role of the Forum

Contribute to the success of the strategy
Champion the aims and objectives of the strategy within occupational areas and with other relevant stakeholders such as employers and local representatives
Recommend the best methods to engage and communicate with the wider disability community, particularly people

Membership of the Forum

The membership of this Forum is cross-departmental and cross-sector.

The forum is co-chaired by the Head of the Disability Employment Service (DES), who will have lead responsibility for the implementation of the new strategy, along with a chosen member from the disability representatives on the Forum. The Head of DES will have a formal management authority reporting on the progress of the strategy, including the role of the Stakeholder Forum.

Forum members include a number of people with disabilities and representatives of disability organisations who can speak on behalf of their members and user groups.