Terms of reference

This Terms of Reference (ToR) was informed by the Task and Finish Group for the establishment of the External Advisory Board (the EAB). 

The purpose of the EAB for the implementation of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan will be through coproduction to inform, influence and support the delivery of the 10-year Disabled People’s Rights Plan. This approach aims to ensure that the voices and rights of disabled people remain central to implementation of the Plan. 

For the purposes of this Board, coproduction means:

We will work together in a spirit of accessibility, inclusion, commitment and transparency, ensuring that everyone can participate fully and contribute meaningfully. We will promote mutual respect, collaboration and an equitable approach that recognises different needs and perspectives. As an External Advisory Board of disabled people, we will provide advice, challenge and scrutiny to support Welsh Government in delivery of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan. Above all, we will value lived experience as expertise of equal importance to professional knowledge, using both to inform our discussions and recommendations. This way of working will inform, influence, shape and support the delivery of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan, including identifying disabling barriers, researching and testing approaches, reviewing and monitoring progress, and ensuring the best possible outcomes for disabled people.

The Board will:

• Work in accordance with the principles of the articles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People.
• Support the Well-being Goals of a: Prosperous Wales, Resilient Wales, Healthier Wales, More Equal Wales, Wales of Cohesive Communities, Wales of Vibrant Culture and Thriving Welsh Language, and a Globally Responsible Wales.
• Have strategic oversight across the core policy areas of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan. The 4 overarching areas in the Disabled People’s Rights Plan are:
  • Neighbourhoods, Places, and Transport; Travel, Housing, and The Social Model of Disability.
  • Employment, Income, and Education; Employment, Income, and Education for children and young people.
  • Independent Living, Health, and Social Care; Well-being, Health and Care and support. 
  • Justice and Supporting Environments; Access to justice and Accessible and supporting environments.

The objectives of the EAB are stated below:

• Share knowledge, research and expertise to influence the delivery and monitoring of the Plan.
• Support, challenge and monitor the Welsh Government’s delivery of the actions, outcomes and ambitions and connect disabled people, policy makers, and service providers, to help ensure lived experiences remain central.
• Build and maintain trust between communities, consulting with Disabled People’s Organisations and networks to help identify and understand pressing and emergent issues and share learning. 
• Provide support on strategy and engagement with DPOs and communities.
• Provide expert support and advice to Cabinet Secretaries to understand the pressing and emergent barriers to achieving equity for disabled people. 
• Develop best practice examples, to promote transformative change and challenge systemic discrimination and ableism, particularly in response to the overlapping inequalities (intersectionality) disabled people face due to factors such as race, gender, age, and socio-economic status.
• Contribute to the Disability Disparity Evidence Unit’s ongoing consultation with stakeholders to identify existing evidence gaps and recommend possible areas for research to advance equity for disabled people in Wales.
• Establish sub-groups and working groups where evidence suggests these are required and agreed by the Co-Chairs.
• Provide advice on strategic priorities for any future actions based on different types of evidence available, including lived experiences.
• Recommend early on action where potential implementation failures are identified.

The Board is intended to be established for the duration of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan, that is 2025 to 2035. The first meeting will be held in March 2026.

The Board is intended to meet on a quarterly basis throughout this 10-year period, online and/or in-person, as required.

Membership of the Board will be drawn from a diverse range of individuals, including people with lived experience of being disabled by societal barriers; key representatives from Disabled People’s Organisations; and other relevant stakeholders across Wales. This inclusive approach will guarantee that the Board reflects the breadth of experience and expertise necessary to address the complex and evolving issues faced by disabled people in society.

Remuneration will be available for those eligible. Members of the External Advisory Board may claim for attendance at the main meetings, or subgroup meetings. Members may also claim travel expenses for attending these meetings where attendance is in person.

Members will have expertise and lead on the following areas:

• Accessible and Inclusive Transport.
• Accessible and Inclusive Housing and Independent Living.
• Accessible Communications, Engagement and Media.
• Accessible and Inclusive Employment, Workplaces, Tackling Poverty and Social Welfare.
• Accessible and Inclusive Higher and Further Education and Lifelong Learning.
• Disabled Children and Statutory Education.
• Accessible and Inclusive Social Care and Support Services.
• Accessible and Inclusive Health Care.
• Disabled Children and Young People (Early Years, Child Care and Play).
• Wellbeing (Culture, Heritage, Sport).
• Disabled People Emergency Planning and Climate Change.
• Accessible and Inclusive Justice and Advocacy.
• Disabled People’s Rights in Wales, UK and Internationally.
• Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Accessibility.

If gaps in the expertise of the Board are identified within the duration of the Board’s existence, additional members may be invited by the Welsh Government. 

The secretariate will support the EAB to maintain links with other relevant Welsh Government Advisory Boards and Groups. 

Information obtained at the EAB is only to be shared with other Boards/Groups with the Co-Chairs and secretariates agreement.

Board members external to Welsh Government must be disabled people, with expertise and lived experiences of barriers in society.

The Board comprises of 17 members: 16 members external to Welsh Government, all of whom are disabled people, and 1 member from Welsh Government to act as Co-Chair.

Each member will be aligned to lead areas, as outlined in section 4 of the ToR, recognising that these areas are interconnected and that members may bring expertise across multiple areas and identities, supporting inclusive and joined‑up discussion and recommendations.

Members are encouraged to participate actively in the work of the Board and to attend meetings regularly. Where attendance or engagement becomes difficult or is consistently low, the Co-Chairs will discuss this with the member concerned to understand any barriers, circumstances or access requirements, and to consider what support may be needed. If, following this discussion and any reasonable support, participation remains consistently low, the Co-Chairs may review the member’s continued membership and, where appropriate, ask them to step down. Any decision taken will be proportionate and will take account of the member’s circumstances and access requirements.

Lead areas may change, subject to review by the Board. In recruiting members, the aim will be that the final composition of the Board will offer representation from disabled people with a wide range of experiences and identities, including:

• women
• Black and Minority Ethnic people, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people
• LGBTQ+ people
• young people (18 to 24yrs)
• older people
• British Sign Language (BSL) signers
• Welsh speakers
• under-represented communities e.g. veterans, survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence

Additional Welsh Government policy officials and/or guest speakers will be invited to meetings relevant to their policy area where required.

The Board will be Co-Chaired by a Welsh Government senior official and an external individual with lived experiences of disability in Wales. The external Co-Chair will have a proven track record in promoting the rights of disabled people and will demonstrate substantial expertise on disability-related issues, not only within Wales but also across the UK and internationally.

The Welsh Government Co-Chair will be the Director for Communities and Tackling Poverty. This structure ensures a combination of lived experience and expertise and cross-cutting experience of inequality, supporting the Board’s ambition to address disability related barriers and exclusion, at multiple levels.

The role of both Co-Chairs is to facilitate and encourage constructive and inclusive discussion around innovative solutions and best practice. 

Any EAB member can propose an item for consideration by the Board. The Co-Chairs will agree the Board’s final agenda in advance of each meeting.

In addition, the Welsh Government Co-Chair will: 

• support navigation of cross government policy teams, ensuring the right policy officials are invited to the Board when needed
• identify existing work within Welsh Government that links with the work and direction of the Board
• support understanding of cross-Government policy levers and the role of policy officials
• provide civil service expertise and insight

There will be a Deputy Chair, who will be an external individual with lived experiences of disability in Wales. This Deputy Chair will have a proven track record in promoting the rights of disabled people and will demonstrate substantial expertise on disability-related issues. The Deputy Chair will support the Co-Chairs in facilitating positive and constructive meetings and ensuring the smooth operation of the Board. The Deputy Chair will also contribute to agenda setting, encourage inclusive participation, and may step in to lead discussions or represent the Board as required.

The term for the external Co-Chair and Deputy Chair is:

• External Co-Chair: to be in position for a maximum of 5 years
• Deputy-Chair: to be in position for a maximum of 5 years

The Disability Rights Task Force’s (DRTF) work is now concluded. To ensure a smooth transition to this Board, membership of the Board in the first 2 years will include individuals who were previously chairs in the working groups of the DRTF. Where possible, staggered appointments will ensure continuity of experience and knowledge.

Arrangements from 2026:

• Members who previously served as working group chairs with the DRTF, will be invited as founding members for 2-year terms (2026 to 2028). 
• New members will be appointed for 4-year terms (2026 to 2030). 

Following arrangements (2028 to 2035):

• Founding member Board positions will open for applicants, for a 4-year term (2028 to 2031). Previous members of the Board will be eligible to reapply through open competition.
• Following the completion of an appointment, or if any position becomes vacant during the Board’s existence, these posts will also be open for applicants, on a 4-year term, or a period that extends to 2035 (if that is less than 4-years).

Arrangements for the EAB meetings are as follows:

• Meetings will be accessible by design in line with the Social Model of Disability.
• Members must demonstrate a commitment to the Social Model of Disability.
• The Board will commit to co-productive and collective decision-making and accountability.
• New members will seek mentorship from existing members, if required.
• Members adhere to values of lived experience, human rights, the Social Model of Disability and confidentiality.
• ToR, action-oriented minutes, and where appropriate, key reports, and findings will be published, allowing for public scrutiny.
• Measures are put in place to safeguard members' emotional and psychological wellbeing, particularly when sensitive information or difficult topics come up. Before addressing sensitive matters on the agenda, a warning may be given.
• Personal and sensitive data is processed in accordance with UK GDPR and other relevant laws.
• If both Co-Chairs agree, they may implement additional meetings of the Board, should exceptional circumstances warrant it. 
• To hold a meeting, the Board must have more than half of its members in attendance.

Secretariat will be provided from the Welsh Government Disabled People’s Inclusion team, ensuring access and inclusion for all Board members. The Secretariat will:

• aim to provide meeting papers a minimum of 7 days in advance in requested languages and formats
• members will be asked for agenda items in advance of the Board meeting
• any documents circulated for consideration will be at least 7 days in advance of the meeting
• maintain a risk register and review to anticipate, mitigate, and manage organisational risks
• ensure Welsh and BSL/English interpreters are present, as required
• ensure access requirements are fully met. This may include palantypists, materials in an alternate format or any other requested access provision
• take a formal meeting note to capture the main points and actions only

Meetings will be recorded for the purpose of retaining a written transcription of the closed captions and meeting chat only. These will be used by the Secretariat to create a formal minute from the meeting.

To maintain transparency and public accountability, the Disabled People’s Inclusion Team will publish progress updates against actions of the Disabled People’s Rights Plan. The update will be presented to the Board prior to its publication for discussion and review.

All Board members will be required to undertake an induction programme to Welsh Government, including training on the Social Model of Disability, Safeguarding, and Managing Information Securely. This training will be provided via the Welsh Government.

Some optional training may also be made available over the life of the Board, for example in public speaking, understanding evidence use in government policy making methods and relevant legislation.

Each member will take responsibility for ensuring that necessary confidentiality requirements are upheld. This means that if the Chairs or other members advise that documents or information shared with the group are sensitive and confidential, that information or document must not be shared beyond the Board. This can include information provided verbally as well as in writing. Personal Assistants must also abide by these requirements. Information marked as confidential or sensitive received by any attendee as a result of involvement with the Board must be kept securely. 

Attendees joining the meeting virtually will have responsibility for ensuring confidentiality of the Board meeting is maintained, and that they or other members are not overheard by any third parties while discussing the EAB business. 

AI assistants should not attend meetings in place of absent individuals. This does not apply to assistive technologies used by individuals to support their participation when they are personally attending a meeting.

Board members must not share invitations to Board meetings, without agreement of the Co-Chairs or secretariat in advance. 

The work of the Board may be subject to access to information requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Where such requests are received, the Welsh Government's standard procedures will be followed.

Each member is responsible for ensuring any actual or potential conflicts of interest are brought to the attention of the Chairs.

While membership to the is Board is not on a Public Appointment basis, members should still adhere to the guidance aligned to the Nolan Principles of Public Life. 

While the original 7 principles apply across the UK, Wales has expanded upon them with 2 additional principles, Respect and Transparency, to reflect our inclusive, collaborative, and open approach to public service.

All members are expected to engage with respect and inclusivity for each other, for Welsh Government Officials and for any others providing input or evidence.

Members are expected to engage constructively and collaboratively to support the development of actions, ensuring their contributions do not negatively impact the participation of other members.

If concerns arise regarding a member’s conduct or their adherence to the expected standards, these may be raised, anonymously if preferred, with either of the Co-Chairs or Welsh Government policy officials, who will consider the matter in consultation with the Co-Chairs. Where it is determined that the required standards have not been met, the member may be required to step down from the Board.

This ToR will be reviewed within 12 months of the establishment of the EAB.

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