Our Vision – Our History
“Disability Knows No Boundaries”
What is ICOD?
The Inverclyde Council on Disability (ICOD) was set up by a group of determined and enthusiastic disabled people in 1987 who wanted to ensure that the voice of disabled people in Inverclyde was heard.
We subscribe to the social model of disability, which states that:
Disability is taken to be "the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by a contemporary social organisation which takes little or no account of people who have impairments and thus excludes them from participation in the mainstream of social activities Disability is therefore a particular form of social oppression (Source: UPIAS).
This is carried out through ICOD’s involvement with other local, regional and national organisations of disabled people and other related national organisations.
What we do.
We started off as a campaigning organisation aimed at improving the quality of life of those with a disability in the local area. Our aim is to increase the understanding of the issues of disability and to encourage inclusion in its fullest sense between disabled and non-disabled members of the community. Constitutionally, our board of directors always consist of a majority of disabled people, so have a real knowledge of the varying needs of disabled people and our services are user-led.
Our Aims.
- To promote the welfare of all disabled people within Inverclyde and to assist and support individuals and local groups working on disability related issues.
- To increase understanding of disability through education and to encourage inclusion in its fullest sense between disabled and non-disabled members of the community.
- To promote and encourage the provision and improvement of facilities services and information for disabled people in line with legislation.
- To provide a means of consultation and joint action among voluntary and statutory organisations concerned with the welfare of all disabled people.
Our Activities.
- Collation, cataloguing and dissemination of information on disability and related matters to the ICOD Membership, disabled people, their Carers, families, community/voluntary groups, statutory, non-statutory, public and private agencies.
- Effectively publicising and promoting the Council on Disability, and liaising and networking with relevant groups and agencies both locally and nationally.
- The provision of advice, information, consultancy, signposting and advocacy services to people on a variety of issues relating to disability.
- Encouraging the recruitment of volunteers to become involved in the work of ICOD.
- The production our newsletter (Link-Ability).
- Carrying out of Access Reports and Disability Equality Training to the community, voluntary, statutory and commercial sectors.
- Undertaking of training relevant to increasing the skill base of ICOD Management Committee and staff.
- Undertaking of Research Work within designated SIP Areas and in the future potentially district wide to identify a range of needs and issues concerning disabled people. We have now published 2 research documents, "Empathy NOT Sympathy" volumes I and II which examined the needs of disabled people and those with a long-term illness in the former Social Inclusion Partnership areas of Inverclyde.
