We are an organisation run by and for disabled people. Established in 1995 our origins are firmly rooted in the belief that the voice of disabled people, both as individuals and collectively, is vital if the lives of disabled people are to be enhanced.

We currently provide a wide range of support, information, advice and guidance services. We also play a key role in influencing the agenda of tomorrow to effect real social change to enhance the everyday lives of disabled people.

Our vision

Enhance the everyday lives of disabled people in Essex and beyond

Our mission

Empower disabled people to have independence, choice, flexibility and control. 

We do this by:

• Actively involving and engaging with disabled people
• Delivering a range of high quality services, projects and programmes
• Working in partnership with a range of stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors
• Shaping and influencing strategy, policy and practice

• Creating a professional, effective and efficient organisation that can and does deliver.

Our values

Our values underpin everything we do and shape our behaviour both as an organisation and as individuals working within ecdp.

• Inclusive: We include anyone who has rights under the disability law. This includes anyone with a physical or sensory impairment, mental health condition, learning disability or long-term health condition (such as HIV / AIDS or cancer). We also recognise anyone who declares themselves to be a disabled person.
• Expert: As an organisation run by and for disabled people, we have a unique and insightful perspective. Our history and work provides us with a depth of knowledge on the inequalities faced by disabled people in Essex. We use this knowledge to add value to our own work and that of the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to effect change for disabled people.
• Innovative: We are adaptable, embrace change and try new ways of doing things. We work in an imaginative and flexible way, seeking feedback to help us innovate.
• Responsive: We listen to the needs of and work in partnership with disabled people and our stakeholders. We respond in a timely manner and in a way that is enabling, supportive and professional.

What underpins and informs everything we do is the social model of disability. Furthermore, we will not accept discrimination in our work on grounds of disability, race, age, sexual orientation, gender or religion and will challenge it if it occurs, at an individual or organisational level. We aim to positively promote equality on these grounds.

Please click on the links below for more information about ecdp.