Ethnic Disabled Group Emerged is a group who defines them self as Ethnic. It is open to all ethnic disabled people who are oppressed because of their skin colour and race.  The coming together of EDGE has resulted from a continuous demand for recognition from Black and minority ethnic disabled people that they have some particular requirements. It is crucial that relevant services are made available to such an isolated and oppressed group who presently exist in a form of limbo.  EDGE has been formed to redress that imbalance. 

The group is run by disabled people and was formed in 1990 when a small group of Black disabled people approached a worker from an Adult Education Centre and asked for support in developing a Black disabled peoples group.  The idea was taken on board but was short lived due to financial constraints, redevelopment and demolition plans for the Adult Centre.  In 1991 we approached Rusholme Children’s Centre agreed to the use of their premises for Tuesday afternoon gatherings.

EDGE will work with Black and minority ethnic disabled people aged 18 and upward irrespective of gender, religion, sexuality and culture.  We aim to provide Drop in, Training, Homecare, Outings, Information and Advice and Short Holidays which improve, the provision of social care, particularly care in the community and employment opportunities.

EDGE is designed to offer support across the broad range of services e.g. help dealing with problems associated with the family, all kinds of disabilities and social and domestic issues. EDGE recognises the Black and minority disabled people face a lot of discrimination and exists as a hidden minority within a minority.  EDGE has emerged to provide practical, social and emotional support and act as pressure group for the betterment of life of Black minority disabled people in Manchester.

The objectives of the group are to administer for Black and minority ethnic disabled people of Manchester giving advice, information, counselling, homecare and drop in services for the purposes of relieving poverty and distress; advancing education and providing resources and facilities to improve the lifestyle of Black disabled people.  Manchester Black and minority disabled people remain isolated; oppressed and under represented in all areas of society, EDGE is working towards eliminating that situation.

In 1993 EDGE successfully applied for the City Council’s small grant and in 1994 the 3 years Joint Finance Grant for a part-time worker and running cost. In November 1994 EDGE moved into its offices at Claremont Resource Centre, a building belonging to Manchester Social Services.

At the current time EDGE is looking for founding to employ 1 part time development worker, 2 support workers, I outreach worker and 1 part time admin worker.  These workers will help to take the group forward in terms of a permanent contacts, stability and the development process of the organisation.  They will organise formal and social activities that members require and respond to.

In 2000 EDGE is proud to have won black business award of the year this was unexpectedly seen EDGE is the smallest user group in Manchester. With this award ethnic disabled people know there is a need for EDGE.

 2001 came, as a great challenge to the organisation the workforce was stretched due to major projects was under way. EDGE received its charity status and it is on its final stage for accreditation for its homecare project.

To date EDGE as housed a number of projects (New Deal, Shaping Our Lives and Correction Services).

There is little doubt that disabled people as a whole face massive discrimination, how much greater are the barriers that Black disabled people must overcome are left to the imagination.

Social and leisure activities, education, housing, health issues, employment issues, in short the quality of Black and minority-disabled people’s lives. 

1.    How does it differ from life in the main stream?
2.    What are the differences?
3.    What must be done to reduce the inequalities?

EDGE would anticipate that research in this area would supply some of the answers.

The future could be bright, a self organised group that articulates our needs. Why not join us, EDGE NEEDS YOU!

EDGE will continue to work with voluntary groups and statutory organisations to bring into focus the needs of Black and Minority Disabled People.


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