#NoShamPanel ONLINE DISABILITY PROTEST |
When?
We are focusing on the weekend of 27th/28th of September 2025.
But you can take part any time until 11:59pm on Monday 29th September 2025.
What we’re protesting about
The UK government has opened applications for a new ‘Independent Disability Advisory Panel.’
In theory, this panel sounds like a good idea. In reality, there is nothing independent about it. It’s all been decided for us already.
Even though it’s unfair, we still want lots of people to apply to take part.
But there’s a twist!
We want every applicant to say that we won’t accept their rules.
What you will need
- Your CV (optional)
- The ability to use Google Docs.
- The ability to send an email.
- To be a Deaf or disabled person, or have a long term health condition.
- To be from England, Wales or Scotland.
- Some people may need a personal assistant to help them complete the application.
If you are unable to take part, you can still share the protest on social media: skip to step 7.
Get an application form
You can use our template application form to make your application.
Follow the link, then go to File > Make a Copy so that you can edit it (you may need to change the folder), or go to File > Download to edit without using Google Docs.
Accessible formats
The government has Welsh and Easy Read versions. There are also audio and BSL versions. The government has Braille versions by request.
Unfortunately, there are problems with all of these versions and they are difficult to fill in.
Complete the form with a protest statement
You can use wordcounter.net to check that your answers are less than 500 words.
You don’t have to complete the Diversity Monitoring part of the form if you don’t want to.
We are suggesting in section 5 (“details on why you want to take part” and “how you hope to bring this experience to the Panel”), that you also say the following:
I want to make the panel a genuine independent panel. This means that I will not sign any gagging clause. I will insist on the panel voting on how it is run, when it meets, what it discusses, and who it invites. I will insist we vote to elect our own chair. I will insist we are democratic and transparent.
Optionally, you could also add:
I refuse to accept the insulting pay offer, capped at £300/month, for what will be expert work.
Important! You can be firm with your objections, but please don’t say anything rude or abusive. Please don’t use a fake name or address - if you are submitting anonymously, just say so. Please only send one application. This is so that you don’t get in trouble, and so that we respect the other people applying.
Submit the form with your CV
Completed applications and CVs should be returned by email to disabilityadvisorypanel.secretariat@dwp.gov.uk by 11.59pm on Monday 29 September 2025.
If you don’t have a CV handy, or don’t want to give it to the DWP, you should just send it without one.
Spreading the word is an important part of the protest.
Here are some template social media messages.
If you can write your own, that’s even better - the important thing is to include the link to bit.ly/panel-protest so that other people can take part.
There’s also some social media graphics below.
Graphic for Twitter/X, Bluesky and Facebook
Alt text: a graphic on a black background, using white and mint green text. At the top, in a large font, is the text “hashtag No Sham Panel. Online Disability Protest.” This is followed by a speech bubble containing the text “I’ve send in my application to the sham government disability panel. I’m letting them know that I refuse to accept their unfair rules. You can do it too!” Underneath is the Disabled People Against Cuts Wales logo in white and the Disability Rebellion logo in multicolour stripes. There are two headings in mint green that ask “when” and “how.” Underneath “when” is the text “Saturday 27th Sunday 28th September 2025.” Underneath “how” is the text “follow our guide at: bit.ly/panel-protest for instructions.”
Twitter/X
Online #disability protest - I've sent in my application to the sham government panel, refusing to accept their rules. You can too! Find out more & take part at https://bit.ly/panel-protest with @Dis_PPL_Protest and @DRDisabilityReb #NoShamPanel #DPAC
[ Click to Tweet ]
Bluesky
Online #disability protest - I've sent in my application to the sham government panel, refusing to accept their rules. You can too! Find out more & take part at bit.ly/panel-protest with @dpac-cymru.bsky.social and @disrebellion.bsky.social #NoShamPanel #DPAC
Online disability protest - I've sent in my application to the sham government panel, refusing to accept their rules. You can too! Find out more & take part at bit.ly/panel-protest
Alt text: a graphic on a black background, using white and mint green text. At the top, in a large font, is the text “hashtag No Sham Panel. Online Disability Protest.” This is followed by a speech bubble containing the text “I’ve send in my application to the sham government disability panel. I’m letting them know that I refuse to accept their unfair rules. You can do it too!” Underneath is the Disabled People Against Cuts Wales logo. There are two headings in mint green that ask “when” and “how.” Underneath “when” is the text “Saturday 27th Sunday 28th September 2025.” Underneath “how” is the text “follow our guide at: bit.ly/panel-protest for instructions.”
(Optional) - help the protest grow!
If you want to advertise the protest ahead of time, there are more graphics in this Google drive folder.
Feel free to make your own, or add your own organisation’s logo.
If you make any good graphics, let us know and we can add them to the folder!
Protest organised by Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru (DPAC Cymru) and Disability Rebellion.
Easy Read images copyright © LYPFT.