2026 National Disabled Members’ Conference

UNISON’s National Disabled Members Self-Organised Group Committee has agreed to hold a National Disabled Members Self-Organised Group Conference on Saturday 24th October to Monday 26th October 2026.
We have now opened the Online Conferencing System (OCS) to allow branches to register delegates and submit motions in line with the rule-book requirements.

Please note the deadline to submit motions on OCS is 

17.00 on Friday 3rd July 2026

UNISON’s National Disabled Members Self-Organised Group Conference takes place over (Three) day. All delegates and visitors may attend all sessions of conference but voting on motions is restricted to delegates only. Delegates should attend all sessions of Conference.
The conference bulletin will have further information on motion submission from the SOC and submission deadlines.
Delegates should contact their branch to be registered through the OCS.

Elections

The following elections take place during the National Disabled Members' Conference:

1. Two (2) delegates to attend each Service Group Conference
2. Two (2) delegates to attend National Delegate Conference
3. One (1) delegate to attend National Delegate Conference as the National Disabled Members' Newssheet Team representative
4. Four (4) members to serve on the National Disabled Members' Conference Standing Orders Committee for 2027 National Disabled Members’ Conference
5. One (1) delegate to attend Trades Union Congress 2027
6. Two (2) delegates to attend the Labour Link Forum and Labour Party Conference 2027 (conditions apply)

Only delegates attending the 2026 National disabled members conference and members of the national disabled members committee are eligible to stand. Additionally, members of the 2026 disabled members conference standing orders committee are able to stand for the 2027 conference standing orders committee.
Details of how to access the nomination forms will be included in both the electronic and hard copy mailings of the conference pack, and will be available online. Nominations will open on 25 September 2026.
The deadline for receipt of nominations for these positions is 16 October 2026
If you would like any more information about any of the above roles, please contact [email protected] copying in [email protected] 

Registration and Enquiries

If you want to attend the conference, please contact your branch who can register you as a delegate or visitor on the Online Conference System (OCS). Once you are registered you will receive an email confirmation from OCS. Deadline for registration is Thursday 6th August 2026 at 12pm.
Use the link below to search for your branch details:
Click here for UNISON Branch Finder

Travel Arrangements

Please consider the impact on the environment when making your decision on how to travel to Conference.
Branches are asked to book all travel arrangements for Conference through Stewart Corporate Travel via email at [email protected] or call 0800 091 4272. Please advise Stewart Corporate Travel if your delegates have railcards.
Branches are reminded that:

• Travel costs for Delegates only will be funded from National Office
• Travel costs for Visitors must be paid for by the branch.  Please note that a booking fee is applicable – further details from Stewart Corporate Travel.

Driving is discouraged for conference unless delegates are travelling together or as a reasonable adjustment. Total reclaimable will be the cost of standard tickets or cost of car travel – whichever is the lesser.
All travel requests (including 1st Class Travel) as a reasonable adjustment must be reviewed and authorised by the Head of Conferences. 
Request for first class travel and driving to conference should be made by 12pm Friday, 2 October 2026.

Accommodation

Booking accommodation – please book any accommodation required with a reputable provider with a generous cancellation policy.
Please ensure that members have written confirmation of any booked and paid for accommodation
Branches are encouraged to arrange accommodation through Visit Brighton Accommodation Booking Service.  Using the Booking Service supports the work of our members in local government and ensures our continuing ability, as a not-for-profit organisation, to secure preferential rates for our conference venues.  For full details of current availability and for bookings please go to:
Link: https://book.passkey.com/go/2026UNDMC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01273 292626

Timetable

Personal Pronouns

It is now possible to add your personal pronouns to the online conference system so that they can appear on your credentials.
For information on how to do this, please visit the UNISON website, click on events, choose your conference and scroll to the documents at the bottom of the page and open “Personal pronouns in OCS – User guide”.
If you require help, please email the conference team, [email protected] or telephone, 0207 121 512