Despite a recent inspection by an auditor for the Community Legal Services Commission which evaluated Redbridge Disability Association (ReDA) as ‘excellent’, the London Borough of Redbridge has stated its intention to withdraw funding from the group.

ReDA, whose membership is currently around 2,500 people, describe themselves as ‘committed to the principles of person centred planning, whole systems working and equality’ which they express ‘through the social model of disability’.

Their business plan states:

'We wish to bring together the excellent thinking and practice that is available to enable excellent solutions for disabled people in Redbridge.

We are closely involved in setting up the Redbridge Centre for Independent and Inclusive Living, and are developing services around change architecture (brokerage) and access. We wish to provide consultancy and training services in the area of disability equality, user led organisations, accessibility and sustainability and see joining up the various statutory services from a person centred perspective as critical to this. We are working closely with RADAR on the Tipping Point Project which is about enabling user-led organisations.'

To sign the petition to save Redbridge Disability Association, visit their dedicated petition webpage
www.PetitionOnline.com/reda5110/petition.html