Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living works to apply disabled people's own ideas and experience to developing services and public policies.  DCIL exists because disabled people realised that disability is caused by the way society is organised, and not by the way their bodies, senses or minds work..

DCIL aims to provide independent, integrated living opportunities to disabled people through a range of services. This support is based on the seven needs identified by disabled people: Information, Counselling, Housing, Technical Aids, Personal Assistance, Transport and Access.

Our Mission Statement

To secure independent, integrated living opportunities for disabled people, in order to promote our full participation in the mainstream of economic, social and political life in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Coalition for Inclusive Living (DCIL) is working towards this through our Strategic Plan:

• To promote the voice of Derbyshire & Derby's disabled people through encouraging active membership of the organisation.
• To inform, educate, support and develop members as proponents of their own and other disabled people's independence in daily living activities.
• To campaign actively against the exclusion of disabled people from education, employment, social and political life in Derby and Derbyshire.
• To exemplify and develop model services, publicly funded, in the control of disabled people that demonstrate sustainability in inclusive, community based options.

DCIL works to a "social model" of disability.

Types of Services:

• DCIL provides a range of services including:
• Information and Advice Service,
• Peer Counselling Services
• Direct Payments Support including a Payroll Service
• Independent Living Advice
• DCIL provides volunteering opportunities for disabled people in representation activities for disabled people, advocacy, peer support and mentoring, information & advice and administration.
• Training

13.5 FTE paid staff. 300 members. 200 organisations as contacts.