The Disability Networking Group (DNG) - further information
The Disability Networking Group (DNG) is a network that is made up of disabled people, council colleagues / departments, elected members, outside agencies, charities and other members of the public in the community.
Both formal and informal opportunities to engage with the DNG are provided by the Partnership and Involvement Team, alongside other teams within the Tackling Poverty and Enabling Communities service and wider partners.
The purpose of the DNG is for people to share information and support in the community that promotes and upholds the Human Rights of disabled people of all ages. The Disability Networking Group includes input from children and young people, adults, and older people as well as those who work for and with them.
The Disability Networking Group promotes regular meetings that are taking place in community settings as well as consultations and opportunities for disabled people to have their say on decisions that affect them.
Opportunities like the disability themed One Stop Info Shop are provided regularly as a way for community members to receive relevant information. Other participation and engagement opportunities are offered through the ongoing Big Conversation mechanisms as well as weekly Disability Drop-in support sessions every Thursday afternoon at our new pop-up public engagement space The Collaboration Station @St David's.
The Collaboration Station @St David's is the former Crane's music shop. This venue is in Swansea City Centre, between the Quadrant bus station and St David's multistorey car park. The building has flat access from street level with double doors, one accessible toilet with baby changing facilities and the nearest Changing Places toilets are in Swansea Market and Swansea Mobility Hire. The venue is a large, modular space which meals that we can move furniture, heating and lighting around to suit people's needs; there is a variety of seating available including adjustable office chairs, folding chairs, and soft seating. The venue has free wifi, guide dogs / assistance dogs welcome, and a separate room is available for those that need a quiet space.
The Disability Networking Group will hold bi-monthly public forums throughout the year, starting in July 2025, that intend to provide an opportunity for disabled people and those who work with and for disabled people, Swansea Council colleagues and service providers to come together to raise issues, share information, and support one another.
The DNG Public Forums will be accessible discussions that are available to people to attend in person or online with two identical sessions taking place on the same day to accommodate the needs of disabled people. In-person sessions will take place in the The Collaboration Station @St David's while the hybrid element will be conducted via MS Teams.
We encourage Public Forum participants to inform us of additional sensory support that may be required for in-person sessions (for example, BSL Interpreter, large print or Braille printouts, hearing loop etc.) at the point of booking.
Please contact kathryn.symmons@swansea.gov.uk or 07557 166038 to arrange Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) parking.
The Disability Networking Group Public Forum sessions are likely to include the following voluntary activities that can be adapted to suit participants' needs:
- Listening to people talking;
- Thinking about what matters to you;
- Talking in a group discussion;
- Moving objects like cards / symbols;
- Writing or drawing;
- Moving around the space.
Written information will be provided in English, Welsh, and Symwriter Wigit Symbols.
Free refreshments will be provided with staff and sighted guides available to support attendees with making and carrying refreshments upon request.
Community members, council colleagues, and outside agency partners are all welcome to submit agenda items to be discussed at the DNG Public Forum throughout the year.
Themes / topics for discussion and action are selected based on relevant points brought forward by DNG members, as well as timely issues and matters of diversity, inclusion and equity that are affecting disabled people in Swansea.
Beth Thomas (Community Partnership and Involvement Coordinator) and Kathryn Symmons (Disabilities Involvement Officer) in The Partnership and Involvement Team can provide signposting and tailored support to disabled people and their families / carers and are contactable via email on: DisabilityNetwork@swansea.gov.uk
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