Action on Disability
Action on Disability is a Disabled People's Organisation providing independent living, employment, advocacy, welfare benefits, youth, and training services to disabled people across West London boroughs, with annual income exceeding £1.4 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Action on Disability does
Action on Disability (AoD) is a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) registered as a charity (Charity No: 1091518) and company (Company No: 4237604), founded in 1979 in Hammersmith & Fulham and now operating across West London boroughs including Kensington & Chelsea and Harrow. The organisation delivers a broad service portfolio to disabled people: independent living advice and advocacy, self-directed support and direct payments guidance, welfare benefits assistance, employment services (Supported Internships, In Work Support with job coaches, and Follow Up), youth and families work, training and consultancy (CPD-certified disability equality and co-production courses), and a National Lottery-funded community hub programme (Our Place) plus a campaigning platform (Our Voice). It also monetises its fully accessible Centre for Independent Living (opened 2023 at Mo Mowlam House, SW6 7BF) through hire of meeting and conference rooms.
The organisation is governance-led by disabled people with lived experience (100% of trustees and senior management, and over 53% of staff are disabled). It supports more than 4,500 disabled adults and 170+ young people and families annually, with a Supported Internship programme reporting a 76.8% average job success rate (2024/25) and 347 young people supported over 15 years. AoD's revenue model is grant- and donation-led, with the majority of income derived from local authorities (Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea), the National Lottery Community Fund, Trust for London, the Jack Petchey Foundation, John Lyon's Charity, and individual giving; secondary commercial streams include fee-based training and consultancy, employer-supported employment partnerships (e.g., BaxterStorey, English National Opera / London Coliseum, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, The Ivy, Gaucho, Lidl), and accessible room hire. AoD is not a technology company and does not deploy proprietary AI or software platforms; its competitive advantage rests on 45+ years of community trust, DPO status, quality accreditations (Advice Quality Standard, Matrix Standard, Disability Confident Employer, Living Wage, Cyber Essentials, Bronze London Youth Quality Mark), and lived-experience leadership.
Action on Disability firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Action on Disability
- Legal name
- Action on Disability
- Website
- https://aod.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Action on Disability is a Disabled People's Organisation providing independent living, employment, advocacy, welfare benefits, youth, and training services to disabled people across West London boroughs, with annual income exceeding £1.4 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Action on Disability industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Human Rights Organizations (813311)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI)
Keywords
Where Action on Disability is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Action on Disability business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Public Grants and Funding: Majority of funding from public sources including local authorities (Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea), National Lottery Community Fund, Trust for London, Big Lottery Fund, John Lyon's Charity, Jack Petchey Foundation, and other charitable foundations.
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, legacies, Gifts in Wills, fundraising activities, Give as You Earn payroll giving, and philanthropy.
- Room Hire: Hire of accessible meeting rooms and conference spaces at the Centre for Independent Living to external organisations. Hourly and daily rates apply.
- Training and Consultancy Services: Disability equality training, consultancy services, and CPD-certified courses delivered to employers and organisations.
- Membership: Free membership for disabled people to join as members and supporters, strengthening community voice and engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full Conference Room - large space suitable for training, meetings and social events, seats up to 30 people (15 wheelchair users) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Front Conference Room (split from full room) with kitchenette |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Rear Conference Room (split from full room) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Small Meeting Rooms - capacity 4-6 people |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Action on Disability product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Action on Disability is a Disabled People's Organisation delivering independent living support, advocacy, welfare benefits advice, direct payments/Self-Directed Support, youth and family services, supported employment, and disability equality training to Disabled Londoners, primarily across West London boroughs. Services are delivered both through a permanent Centre for Independent Living in Hammersmith & Fulham and via outreach into workplaces, schools and community venues.
Product overview
Action on Disability (AoD) is a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) providing a broad portfolio of services centred on independent living, employment, advocacy, and community empowerment. The portfolio is structured around a permanent Centre for Independent Living (opened 2023) as a physical hub, complemented by outreach services spanning employment (Supported Internships, In Work Support, Follow Up Project), advice (Advocacy, Self-Directed Support/Direct Payments, Welfare Benefits), youth and families, and training and consultancy. AoD also operates two community programmes — Our Place (a National Lottery-funded community hub offering activities, peer support, and skills development) and Our Voice (a co-production and campaigning initiative) — plus accessible meeting room hire. The organisation does not offer a software product; its 'offerings' are entirely service-based, delivered by staff and volunteers, rooted in the social model of disability and principles of co-production.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Centre for Independent Living A purpose-built, fully accessible community hub in Hammersmith & Fulham providing personal advice, inclusive groups, practical workshops, accessible room hire, and volunteering opportunities for Disabled people in West London.
- In Work Support Service Provides in-work support for Deaf and Disabled employees through support workers, job coaches, and travel assistance (typically via the Access to Work scheme), alongside Disability Equality Training for employers covering Equality Act 2010 duties and reasonable adjustments.
- Supported Internships Programmes for Disabled young people aged 16–24 with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), offering three matched work placements, a dedicated Supported Employment Coordinator, personalised support plans, and mentor training. Delivered in partnership with West London College (Hammersmith & Fulham) and Morley College London (Kensington & Chelsea); records a 76.8% average job success rate (2024/25).
- Follow Up Project Post-internship support providing tailored guidance, skills training, and job preparation to help Supported Internship graduates move into sustained employment.
- H&F Advocacy Service Hammersmith & Fulham-specific advocacy service supporting residents to uphold their rights; complemented by signposting to other advocacy providers across London.
- Self-Directed Support Service / Direct Payments Helps Disabled people arrange their own support via Direct Payments, including an information hub, Personal Assistant (PA) information hub, and training/upskilling, providing greater choice, control and independence.
- Welfare Benefits Service Provides advice, guidance, and practical help with benefits claims and appeals for Disabled people, including a dedicated Hammersmith & Fulham-specific welfare benefits service, ensuring entitled support is received and improving financial independence.
- Young Lives & Families Works alongside Disabled children, young people and their families to remove barriers and build positive futures, covering the H&F Youth Service, Harrow Youth Service, and support for Disabled Children and Families.
- Training & Consultancy Disability equality, accessibility and co-production training rooted in the social model of disability and Independent Living principles, helping individuals and organisations remove systemic barriers — includes CPD-certified courses and practical consultancy services.
- Hire Meeting Rooms Affordable accessible meeting room and conference space hire at the AoD Centre: a Conference Room (up to 30 people, 15 wheelchair users), two smaller conference rooms, and three small meeting rooms (4–6 people each), with optional AV equipment hire.
- Our Place A National Lottery Community Fund-funded community hub and resource space co-designed by and for Disabled people, offering social gatherings, arts and crafts, music, health and wellbeing sessions, peer support, skills development, volunteering, youth and family activities, and community-led campaigns.
- Our Voice A co-production project where Disabled people lead campaigns, shape services, and drive change on issues such as accessible housing, accessibility and inclusivity in Hammersmith & Fulham; encompasses the Disabled Members Forum, Disabled Youth Board, Co-Production Training and the Housing Campaign.
Quantifiable outcome
- 76.8% average job success rate for supported interns over past five years (2024/25 record)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Action on Disability
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Action on Disability technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Action on Disability partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- West London CollegecorePartnership with West London College and London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham to run Supported Internship programme at Lyric Hammersmith training room, supporting 6-12 interns annually.
- Morley College LondoncorePartnership with Morley College London and Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea to run Supported Internship programme at Kensington Civic Centre training room, supporting 6-12 interns annually.
- Inclusion LondoncoreMembership organisation for Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations in London. AoD is a member, collaborating on campaigns, advocacy, and policy influencing for disability rights.
- Disability Rights UKcoreNational charity led by, for and at work disabled people. AoD is a member, working together on disability rights campaigns and policy.
- Young Hammersmith & Fulham FoundationcoreFoundation supporting young people in the borough. Signed Youth Inclusion Charter with AoD and co-design inclusion network with young disabled people.
- Wheelchair AllianceminorMembership organisation working to improve wheelchair services and outcomes. AoD is a member working on wheelchair accessibility.
- English National Opera (ENO)coreCollaboration since 2022 to employ disabled staff for Front of House team at London Coliseum. AoD employment team supports candidates from application through to development in roles.
- BaxterStoreycoreBusiness food service provider employing disabled people with support from AoD In Work Support Service, including support workers and job coaches.
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation TrustcoreNHS Trust providing supported internship work placements and employment opportunities for disabled people through AoD.
- Hammersmith & Fulham CouncilcoreCouncil signed Youth Inclusion Charter with AoD and other partners, committing to work in co-production with young disabled people on youth-related support and services.
- Fair Shot CafeminorSocial enterprise café that supported internship enterprise project chose to donate profits to, opening in Westfield.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Action on Disability competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Scope: National disability equality charity providing advice, employment support and campaigns. Comparable mission on disability equality and employer engagement, though at significantly larger scale.
- Disability Rights UK: National charity led by and for disabled people, focusing on rights, policy, and information. AoD partners with Disability Rights UK and operates a comparable disability-led model at a regional scale.
- Mencap: One of the UK's largest disability charities serving people with learning disabilities. Comparable around employment, supported internships and advocacy, though Mencap operates nationally and at much larger scale.
- Leonard Cheshire: Major UK disability charity supporting disabled people with employment and independent living. Overlapping with AoD's employment, training, and independent living services but operating nationally and at much larger scale.
- Remploy: UK disability employment specialist offering workplace support, job coaching and training. Comparable service mix to AoD's In Work Support and employer training, though at much larger national scale.
- Hft (Home Farm Trust): UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently. Comparable independent living and person-centred support model, though broader scope including residential care.
- Shaw Trust: Large UK charity delivering employment services, supported internships and disability inclusion programmes. Overlaps with AoD's employment, supported internship, and In Work Support Service.
Direct peers
- Inclusion London: Membership network of Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations across London. AoD is a member, and Inclusion London plays a comparable umbrella role in disability advocacy and co-production, making it the closest peer.
- Transport for All: London-based Disabled People's Organisation campaigning for accessible transport. Listed as a campaign partner of AoD and operates a comparable DPO-led advocacy and co-production model.
- Possability People: Disabled People's Organisation in Brighton operating a Centre for Independent Living model. Highly comparable to AoD's community-led independent living, peer support, and co-production approach.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Action on Disability social profiles
Digital presenceAction on Disability compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Action on Disability financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Action on Disability leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Action on Disability funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Action on Disability M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Action on Disability
What does Action on Disability do?
Action on Disability is a Disabled People's Organisation delivering independent living support, advocacy, welfare benefits advice, direct payments/Self-Directed Support, youth and family services, supported employment, and disability equality training to Disabled Londoners, primarily across West London boroughs. Services are delivered both through a permanent Centre for Independent Living in Hammersmith & Fulham and via outreach into workplaces, schools and community venues.
Is Action on Disability a public or private company?
Action on Disability is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Action on Disability founded?
Action on Disability was founded in 1979. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Action on Disability based?
Action on Disability is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Action on Disability make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public Grants and Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, room Hire, training and Consultancy Services and membership.
Who are Action on Disability's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Scope, Disability Rights UK, Mencap, Leonard Cheshire, Remploy, Hft (Home Farm Trust) and Shaw Trust. Direct peers are Inclusion London, Transport for All and Possability People.
Does Action on Disability have an API?
No public API is recorded for Action on Disability.
What industry is Action on Disability in?
Action on Disability's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.