The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100: The Top 5

Despite a fifth of the UK’s population living with a disability or impairment, there is little recognition given to the many influential disabled people who are role models for others to aspire to.  

Aiming to change public perception of disability, the Shaw Trust recognises the important work of these strong, successful and influential individuals and the leadership role they play 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. 

 

1. The Valuable 500  

In 2019, The Valuable 500 Founder Caroline Casey asked CEOS from the world’s largest organisation to join her and break the leadership silence on disability.  

Over the past 2 years, the team have worked towards the goal of getting 500 CEOs and their companies to make a public commitment to disability inclusion. This goal was reached on the 18th May, a collective list of 500 multinationals all committed to addressing disability inclusion. Companies include; Google, Apple, BT, Twitter, Shell, Sony, Microsoft and many more.  

The Valuable 500 works towards aiding these companies in driving the inclusion revolution forward through transforming their business to include those with disabilities, resulting in additional business, social and economic potential.  

Having launched phase two, The Valuable 500 aims to have all organisations work together to change disability inclusion in business for good.  

 

2. Shani Dhanda – Social Entrepreneur and Disability Specialist 

Shani is a multi-award winning social entrepreneur with her intersectional activism stemming from personal experiences of barriers she has faced. Shani has founded and leads various projects and organisations, campaigning for change and to challenge social inequality.  

Shani is responsible for Diversability, a platform used to provide disabled people access to discount to reduce the financial pressures from additional living costs. She also created the Asian Woman Festival and the Asian Disability Network, which raises disability awareness for South Asian communities.  

As an accessibility and inclusion expert, Shani not only works as the Belonging Lead at Virgin Media O2 but sldo helps other businesses and government embed diversity and inclusion into their frameworks. Companies she has consulted with includes Google, LinkedIn, Channel 4 and Tesco. She has also been featured in British Vogue, The Guardian, Disability Review Magazine and many more.  

 

 

 

3. Cerrie Burnell – Author, Actor, Activist, Disability Ambassador for the BBC 

Author, actor, and activist, Cerrie Burnell, is best known for her work on CBeebies. Having broken down barriers and challenged stereotypes, Cerrie has become one of the most visible disabled kid’s TV presenters. This has presented her with opportunities to work closely with organisations linked to promoting diversity, a topic which she is greatly passionate about.  

Cerrie’s acting credits include a number of appearances on some of the UK’s favourite TV Shows including; EastEnders, The Bill and Holby City. She is also the author of several children’s books, some of which she has converted to plays and shows.  

The Observer has listed Cerrie as being within the Top 10 children’s presenters of all time and was awarded an honorary degree for services to Media from The Open University. This year, she became the very first BBC ambassador for disability.   

 

 

 

 

4. Dr Amy Kavanagh – Freelancer and Disability Consultant  

Dr Amy Kavanagh is a freelance disability consultant and blind activist. Amy advocates through her writing, public speaking and social media, where she shares her experiences of living in London as someone with low vision. Amy works and is actively engaged with a number of issues including accessible public transport, accessible gaining, disabled women’s rights, hate crime and diversity & inclusion.  

Amy is also the person behind the now globally recognised #JustAskDontGrab campaign, raising the awareness of the unwanted touching disabled people experience in public places. The hashtag has also been used for disabled women to share experiences of sexual harassment and assault.  

Recently, Amy’s more notable work includes ‘The Staying Inn,’ an online space she created for disabled people who felt isolated during lockdowns to connect with others. Now, with a community of over 2500, the Inn host digital events such as quizzes and craft clubs as well as providing training to businesses looking to provide more accessible events.  

 

 

 

 

5. Ciara Lawrence - Big Plan Engagement Lead at Mencap 

Ciara currently works in the Transformation team at Mencap. As the Big Plan Engagement Lead, Ciara’s role involves talking to those with learning disabilities to ensure they are included in Mencap’s strategy.  

Ciara is also active member in several projects and organisations as well as being a volunteer for several charities. She is a Trustee Board Member of Sunnybank Trust, a charity for adults with learning disabilities, as well as a Trustee for Head 2 Head sensory theatre, which aims to make theatre accessible to all. She is also a patron for Dance Syndrome and volunteers as an ambassador for Jo’s cervical Cancer Trust.  

Ciara is incredibly passionate about her work and uses her podcast and position as an Able Magazine blogger to challenge challenging the negative perceptions that exist about people with learning disabilities. 

 

 

 

 

Make sure to check out the full Disability Power 100 list HERE. 

Spread across various fields including education, politics, business, arts, sports and science, discover the most influential disabled people in the UK now.