DISABLED people in York are to be given a unique opportunity to influence decisions in the city.

A new Disabled People's Forum is being set up by City of York Council, to help curb discrimination and promote equality.

A leading disability campaigner today welcomed the move, and urged people to take advantage of the new opportunities.

Lynn Jeffries, who runs access consultancy firm JD Associates, said: "I would encourage people to get involved. It's a much more strategic way of working, rather than going with individual issues."

The forum is being launched by the council as part of its efforts to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Under the act, councils must proactively challenge discrimination rather than just consulting concerned groups after decisions have been drafted.

The group's inaugural meeting will be on October 6, and is open to all disabled people.

Heather Johnson, of City of York Council's equality team, said: "The forum will provide a unique opportunity for disabled people in York to influence the council's decisions and to make its services more accessible and appropriate for disabled people.

"At the first meeting of the forum, members will decide what its focus should be and how they would like it to be run, so it's a real chance for people to have their say, right from the start."

Ms Jeffries, who joined The Press last year on an investigation into how accessible York businesses were for wheelchair users, said the forum would be a valuable addition to York.

She said: "It will be fantastic. It will be really good for the city, and it brings together all the different equality groups.

"It covers all the equality strands and it's a really positive step forward.

"Hopefully, it's something I will be involved in, and I just hope that disabled people see the possibilities from this group. It's been set up primarily as a group to advise the council, but it can do whatever it wants, so I hope it will not stay with just a narrow remit."

The forum's first meeting is on Friday, October 6, from 12pm to 2.30pm, at the Main Hall, Priory Street Centre.

Anyone wanting to book a place, or who would like further information, should phone Heather Johnson on 01904 551726 or email heather.johnson@york.gov.uk