THE disabled community is being asked to share its views on the future of York.

An appeal has been made by the Disabled Persons' Advisory Group (DPAG) for members of the public with disabilities to come forward to take part in the consultation for the Without Walls project.

"Too often we tell disabled people what we want to happen, but this has got to be about what they want," said DPAG chairman Coun Ken King.

"Whatever they think they would like to see, is what we will put forward to the Without Walls board."

The consultation will take place at the next meeting of DPAG later this month.

Coun King said: "There are many disabled people who regularly come to our meetings, but we want to hear from anyone concerned in this. We want to see some fresh faces at the meetings, and give anyone concerned the chance to share their view.

"We will welcome disabled people, carers, or those from disabled people's groups who all have important views about the way forward for York and important issues. It might be transport, access, housing, police issues, it might be anything."

The advisory group will split in two and consider issues on a local ward basis and city-wide.

The meeting will also be used by DPAG to draw up a list of priorities to address in its future meetings.

"This is the second part of the plan, to help the DPAG discover what its priorities should be.

"It will be a positive and important meeting."

The move was supported by groups for people with disabilities.

Sue Conway, co-ordinator for the York Disability Information and Advice Centre, said: "I do think it is good for people to be able to give their opinions on these important things, this is good in making things more open for disabilities."

The meeting of the DPAG will take place at the Guildhall in York on Wednesday, July 23, at 7pm.

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, July 01, 2003