Shaw Trust announces the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK

Shaw Trust (@ShawTrust) unveiled the 2021 Disability Power 100 on Wednesday 27 October via a virtual event. The annual publication celebrates the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

Even though a fifth of the UK’s population has a disability or impairment, there is little recognition of the many successful and influential disabled people who are role models. At Shaw Trust we want change the public perception of disability, we want to recognise strong, successful, influential people who are leaders in their field. The Disability Power 100 recognises and amplifies the successes of the finalists, with the goal of encouraging talented leaders of tomorrow through their example to achieve their full potential, regardless of disability or impairment.

More than 550 nominations were received for the 100 spaces and we are thrilled to announce The Valuable 500 received the number one spot. This is the first time in the history of the Disability Power 100 that an organisation has won the top spot. Founded in 2019 by Caroline Casey, The Valuable 500 is committed to disability inclusion in business. The Valuable 500 exists to support and empower its 500 strong collective to systematically transform their businesses, so that they include the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities worldwide, thereby unlocking their business, social and economic potential.

The top 10 also includes:

• Shani Dhanda.
• Cerrie Burnell.
• Dr Amy Kavanagh.
• Ciara Lawrence.
• Frances Ryan.
• Andrew Miller MBE.
• Euan MacDonald MBE.
• Chris Fry.
• Abbie Breakwell.

Shaw Trust CEO, Chris Luck says: “I congratulate each of our finalists, who come from a richly diverse range of sectors, all with different lived experience and backgrounds. This year, thanks to excellent feedback from last year’s event, we have included the new Community Action and Rising Stars categories. Thank you for all the work you do!

“Every year our Disability Power 100 reaches and influences more people, but we know there is still much to do to create a fairer and inclusive society. The Disability Power 100 focuses on ability, not disability, by promoting and recognising outstanding achievement. We hope the finalists will influence and advocate for a future where accessibility is the norm, not the exception, and as role models give confidence and guidance to those beginning or on their own journey.”