ABOUT

"Run and controlled by disabled people, for disabled people."

OUR STORY

Harrow Association of Disabled people (HAD) originated in 1972, a small grass roots organisation, from a group of disabled people and supporters, who felt that such a group was required to enable people to move out of poverty. There was a great initial focus on welfare benefits. There were at the time, several local organisations to support people with learning disabilities, or mental health needs, and a couple of national organisations which offered some kind of support to people who were deaf or hard of hearing, or who had visual impairments or were blind.

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However, there was nothing for people with physical disabilities, and the world around was extremely inaccessible to this group. HAD is a pan impairment organisation, but is often perceived as being for people with physical disabilities only, as it is the only local organisation for this group.

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HAD started to gradually be funded by the local statutory sector to provide services, and the range available has changed, generally expanding over the years. In 2000, HAD became a Company Ltd by Guarantee and a Registered charity, and has been so ever since.

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Over time, HAD has built a reputation with local people and professionals.

OUR MISSION

To promote and bring about inclusion and equality for all disabled people in all areas of life by:

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• Ensuring that they have access to relevant disability information, advice and support from HAD

• Delivering high quality services that empower and enable disabled people to have the freedom of choice, access their rights to live independently and gain equality

• Providing a channel and voice for disabled people to campaign on the issues they identify as important

• Influencing and assisting wider society to remove all physical and attitudinal barriers that cause exclusion and disadvantage to disabled people

• Be pro-active in bringing for consultation, to disabled people’s attention, any issues which may affect them in the future

OUR TRUSTEES

Harrow Association of Disabled people is a User Led Organisation (ULO), which means that the majority of board members are disabled people. The board is responsible for leading HAD's strategy and development and the board members are all elected from HAD's membership. In addition, two local councillors attend the board as Harrow Council Representatives with the status of "Observers".

Current Board Members

Adam Gabsi - Chair

Louise Weldon - Vice Chair

Maria Lobo - Vice Chair

William Phillips

Elizabeth Hugo

Julie Browne

Marcia Antony

Mary Newman

Charles Newman 

Jagdish Dave

Councillor Krishna Suresh

Councillor Jean Lammiman

Harrow Council Representatives

Councillor Ghazanfar Ali

Councillor Norman Stevenson

Co-opted Members

Gladys Janes, Staff Representative