The DRILL (Disability Research on Independent Living and
Learning) is a Four Nation Research Project which will deliver the
world's first major research programme led by disabled people.
Disability Action Northern Ireland, Inclusion Scotland, Disability
Wales and Disability Rights UK have been working in partnership
to develop the project over 30 months and are delighted to have
been successful in the Big Lottery Programme - Research for
Impact: Disabled People.
The research programme which will be delivered over five years
will involve a number of significant research projects specifically
engaging disabled people looking at areas contributing to
independent living and learning. The findings will lead to a number
of pilot projects aimed at enhancing the lives of disabled people.
We plan to work with a wide range of organisations to make the
greatest difference: other disabled people’s organisations in the
four nations, academics, and policy and practice leaders who can
use research findings to transform services and opportunities for
disabled people.
As partners we believe that there will be a profound, long-term
impact of using in-depth research, co-produced by disabled people
that is validated and quality assured. This will significantly
strengthen our future capacity to influence decision making about
independent living. It will inform the policies, manifestos and
campaigns of the disability sector for many years to come.
Inclusion Scotland
Bill Scott, Director of Policy Inclusion Scotland said: “We believe
that over the lifetime of the project over £900,000 in research
funding and additional resources will be brought into Scotland for
use by disabled people and their organisations. That will in turn
help build the capacity of Scottish disabled people’s organisations
and further the cause of Independent Living. The solution focussed
research will also provide the evidence that we (disabled people’s
organisations) need to influence the shape of future Scottish
Government policy and public service provision so that they
support disabled people to reach their full potential and be involved
in all aspects of Scottish economic and community life”.
Disability Rights UK
Liz Sayce, CEO of Disability Rights UK said: ‘We are thrilled to be
working with our sister organisations across the UK to push the
boundaries of research based on what matters to disabled
people’s lives. We hope the research will underpin new work to
foster the full participation of disabled people in a rapidly changing
world – including people from different communities and
backgrounds, living with a wide range of mental and physical
health conditions and impairments’.
Disability Wales
Rhian Davies, Chief Executive of Disability Wales said: ‘Disability
Wales (DW) is a proud partner of the Four Nation collaboration
between leading pan-disability umbrella organisations in the UK
and to play its part in delivering the DRILL project over the next
five years. It will complement DW’s work related to the Welsh
Government’s Framework for Action on Independent Living and
provide a long-awaited opportunity to drive forward the research
agenda in Wales from a disabled people’s perspective working in
partnership with academic bodies and others to identify and test
out practical solutions to addressing barriers to achieving rights,
equality and independence’.
Questions and Answers?
Who are the lead organisations?
The partnership is led by Disability Action Northern Ireland,
Inclusion Scotland, Disability Wales and Disability Rights UK
(England).
When will be project start?
The project will start in the next six months to allow time for
planning this large scale project and putting in place the required
resources in each of the nations.
How can people get involved?
The project will be launched in each of the regions in due course.
This will give disabled people and our organisations an opportunity
to engage with the project in each of the nations.
How can I find out further information?
If you would like to keep up-to-date as the project develops please
email your contact details to drill@disabilityaction.org