What we do

The Office for Disability Issues works closely with all government departments to develop and improve policy and services for disabled people

Day to day management

The senior management team is responsible for the day to day running of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The team is made up of:

Tim Cooper, Director
Mary Helson and Pam Temple, Deputy Director for the Right to Control Division (job share)
Karina Stibbards, Deputy Director for the Strategy, Prioritisation, Analysis and Ministerial Division
Sally Witcher, Deputy Director for the Participation, Implementations and Promotion Division
James Wolfe, Deputy Director for the Civil and Human Rights Division.

Life Chances of Disabled People Ministerial Group

This is a cross-departmental group which is chaired by the Minister for Disabled People. Their remit is to:

lead the cross-government strategy for improving the life chances of disabled people
to establish priorities
to identify and secure resources
to maintain collective commitments to the programme of work in order to ensure progress
to report annually to the Prime Minister.

Disability Equality Delivery Board

This is a cross-departmental board which is chaired by the Director General of DWP’s Work and Wellbeing Group. It monitors progress towards delivering disability equality. Their remit is to:

lead and co-ordinate cross-government work to deliver disability equality by 2025
monitor and drive forward progress on the Independent Living Strategy
monitor and drive forward progress on Departmental Strategic Objective 5 (promoting equality of opportunity for disabled people)
challenge and support all government departments on disability equality

ODI and Equality 2025

The ODI works with Equality 2025, a network of disabled people which acts as a link between disabled people and government. Equality 2025's main aim is to carry out the promise to disabled people that they will have a direct voice into government, and help design policies and services for disabled people.

Equality schemes

ODI's disability, race and gender equality schemes and associated annual progress reports are part of DWP's equality schemes (links to DWP website).

Find out what we're currently working on, our commitment across government or about other organisations we work with.