About WAND
According to Westminster Council, there are roughly 9,800 residents aged 18 or over who have a moderate to severe impairment. Approximately 1,300 residents under 59 are visually impaired and around 2,500 residents aged under 59 are hearing impaired.
Consequently, a group of committed disabled people in Westminster launched WAND in November 2000. The organisation was supported at the time by Westminster Council, GLAD (Greater London Action on Disability) and Frances Hasler, an independent disability consultant.
WAND Mission Statement
- To provide advice, information and support to disabled people in the Borough of Westminster
- To affirm the social model of Disability, thereby supporting disabled people, who are discriminated against on the grounds of Age, Gender, Race, National or Ethnic Origin, Disability/Impairment, Language, Religious beliefs, Marital status, Sexuality, Responsibility for dependants, Trade union activity.
- To represent disabled people in Westminster when decisions are being made which affect our lives, and to campaign on their behalf for their rights.
- To ensure that services are developed so that disabled people in Westminster are enable to lead independent and fulfilled lives.
- To work in partnership with all sectors to promote the rights, needs and interests of disabled people in Westminster.
- WAND is controlled by, and accountable to its membership, who are disabled residents, employees and students in the borough of Westminster.
We want rights and equal treatment. We do not want to be 'tolerated', we want protection from discrimination. We do not want to be typecast as 'vulnerable' in order to get daily help in our lives. We want services relevant to our needs run by and with disabled people.
Our Aims
The organisation is informed by the following values:
- Disability rights
- Quality Services
- Genuine partnership
- Equal opportunities
- "Social model" of disability
- Accessibility
- Non-discriminatory policies
- Diversity
WAND was created in order to coordinate:
- A Help line for disabled people in Westminster, providing information, support, referral and advocacy.
- Input into civic consultation exercises, including the Council's Community Care Plan, though questionnaire responses, public meetings and individual feedback.
- Advice to other agencies on issues affecting local disabled people.
- Access surveys for sports and leisure providers in the Borough.
- Campaigning on local issues.
- A regular forum for disabled people.
A key element of this picture is the need for better communication. Westminster has rich resources with a wide diversity of needs. Matching needs to services with each other will not only improve quality of life but also could strengthen resources and put them into better use. So WAND exists to dismantle the obstacles where we can — and where we can't to help people keep pushing!
The Executive Committee
- Nichole Allen
- The post I am standing for is Treasurer of the WAND Executive. I would make a good candidate for this post as I have previously served WAND as their Administrator and Financial Officer. During the summer of 2002 I undertook the task of rectifying WAND's financial affairs. The finances were in a state of disarray, with no basic records kept since the inception of WAND. During my time at the post, I implemented systems that would keep the charity's finances in order and able to be held accountable to itself, its members and any body with an interest or funding the organisation. I also have a passion for disability issues, agreeing with WAND's ethos that disabled people should be an integral part of society. I am in complete agreement with the Social Model of Disability and I endeavour to tackle all barriers to participation.
- Afshin Naghouni
- As a disabled person myself, I have been involved with related organisations and authorities all the time, and understand their language and logic. I believe that I have a good understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and this enables me to communicate with both sides, in order to achieve an understanding on many different issues. I would love to be a help if I can.
- Max Comfort
- I have considerable project management and fundraising experience and a background in architecture, regeneration and social enterprise. I set up the very popular Wellbeing course and the carers' courses delivered by the Munro Centre and CNW. Maryam and I will be working closely on preparing a premises bid and I feel being on the executive board would benefit this.
- Beverley Dyer
- As a disabled wheelchair dependent person I have personal experience of inadequate housing for disabled people and their families, the lack of parking facilities and poor wheelchair access to some social venues ie cinemas, concert halls, public houses and so on. I therefore feel I would make a great contribution in seeing that these and other issues can be addressed as part of the WAND team.
- Jamal Sheikhai
- I am a deaf person and a member of the Deaf User Group. I hope that by coming onto the executive I can highlight the barriers that deaf people face through campaigning with WAND. I intend to bring the skills that I have about deaf culture and deaf issues to the executive of WAND, and take back the issues that I learn from WAND to the deaf community.
- Nuray Ulger
- Deaf and hearing impaired people in our community have for the most part been forgotten. I hope that by joining the executive committee, I will be able to work with my colleague Jamal and the WAND executive in partnership to tackle mutual barriers of exclusion.
- Henry Tunney
- I have worked on many charity events and participated in four marathons — one including from John O'Groats to Scotland. I have also raised money through a tandem parachute jump. I don't believe that my impairment can prevent me from doing anything, including things that some people would disapprove of. I have a lot to offer WAND as I am strong believer for all people. For many years I have served on the day centre committee and at one time was Chairman of Development Action Group. I think it would be a great asset for myself to be on board — I hope you feel the same.
- Norman Mcsween
- Awaiting biography.
- Elcena Jeffers
- Awaiting biography.