Forums and working groups

What are forums and working groups? 

Our forums and working groups (open to Members and Partners only), are key to our policy and research culture. We believe good decisions and solutions work for everyone – disabled people, businesses, and Government. We therefore need all of these stakeholders involved in our problem solving and the opinions we form about public and workplace policy.

Forums 

Forums usually centre around an area of interest or bring together people who have a similar role in their organisation to share views, challenges, and practices. Forum meetings are informal; people can ‘dip in and out’ of the meeting as they please. Each meeting presents one or two topics for the group to discuss, debate, or share their views on. Forums are ongoing and they are based on discussing interests and current issues. 

Working groups 

Working groups are created for our Members to inform a time-limited task or project, such as a piece of research or responding to a consultation. When the project or task is complete, the group disbands. Meeting agendas are structured, and meetings are usually more regular than forums to help achieve a project deadline. 

Why join a forum or working group? 

Our forums and working groups are only open to our Members and Partners. When you join, you are helping to influence and inform the decisions we make and the knowledge we create. This informs the solutions that we present to Government policy makers to influence change for better business and better experiences for disabled people.  

You will meet colleagues with similar life experiences or who are working on similar topics and have the opportunity to share both personal and professional views on a range of topics. You’ll certainly make new connections and, often, new friends. 

Whether you have never worked on the topic before or you have spent your whole career on the issue, you are welcome to attend; your voice is important to us. Come and share your expertise, or learn about a new topic. Feel free to argue with our policy team, or sit back and listen to new ideas.

Current forums and working groups 

• Disability Data Monitoring Working Group 
• Disability Network Leaders’ Forum
• Access to Work Forum
• Work and Health Policy Forum

If you want to find out more or join any of our forums or working groups get in touch with our policy and research team. 

If you require this content in a different format, contact enquiries@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.