What we stand for
About us
About us
Our vision is an accessible and inclusive society for d/Deaf and Disabled people.
We are a user-led organisation of d/Deaf and Disabled people working together to promote accessibility, unlock potential, develop understanding and raise standards within society. This means we will:
Access for all is a right and applies everywhere: across industries, organisations and society
We exist to realise the limitless potential of our community, the people who use our services and our partner organisations
Throughout society of the value and needs of Deaf and disabled people
This is to ensure our community has more independence, freedom and the power to choose
We support Disabled people with a range of impairments or conditions.
This includes people with physical impairments, sensory impairments – including those who are blind, d/Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users and those with hearing loss – people with long-term health conditions, invisible impairments, learning difficulties, people requiring mental wellbeing support, and people who are neurodivergent.
However, we recognise that not all people with lived experience of disability identify as Disabled or accepts these words and we would still personalise our language when individually communicating with someone.
We understand that language is continually evolving, and we always welcome thoughtful conversations about the words we use to ensure they reflect the principles of equality, respect, and inclusion.
Our values describe the Disability Together story and the principles we live by.
We demonstrate our courage and integrity by:
We create a transparent, honest and safe environment by:
We recognise that we are stronger together and will:
We build our community by:
“Barriers for disabled people still exist… levels of understanding amongst the wider community, are limited as to what disabled people have the capability of achieving.. Major steps have been taken… but if we could improve that it would be a major achievement…”
Peter Swain OBE,
Founder Disability Together
We pride ourselves on championing the needs and rights of Disabled people and members of the Deaf community.
Being led and run by Disabled people helps us understand the issues facing Disabled people. We have established trust and credibility within the community, and have a strong commitment to partnership working, particularly through joining up with other charities to provide better services for Disabled people.
Providing that extra service provision that Peter outlined in the very beginning remains our focus today. We offer services, information, and advice that give Disabled people the skills and support they require to overcome barriers such as:
We empower them to live the lives they want; to enjoy independence; gain employment; to know their rights and to find the courage to voice those rights and with your support will continue to do so.
Living Options Devon works hard to ensure we do all we can to support the health and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, enabling them to provide effective services for our beneficiaries.
In a recent staff wellbeing survey 96% of our staff would recommend the charity as a great place to work.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to having a diverse workforce and recruiting and retaining Disabled people and those living with long term health conditions.
Our commitment to equality and inclusion is central to our mission. We ensure our recruitment processes; our policies and practices for supporting staff; our working environment; and our staff development opportunities are fully inclusive for Disabled people.
As a Disabled people’s user led organisations (DPULO), staff and volunteers as well as the wider disability / Deaf communities are fully involved in shaping, planning and monitoring our work.
55% of staff, 70% of volunteers and 86% of trustees have a disability, long term health condition or are Deaf BSL users.
Source: Anonymous staff equality and diversity survey in April 2025
Our income and expenditure can be viewed on the charity commission website.
