Shani Danda, Broadcaster, at the Round Table event for Disability at the UK Houses of Parliament in ... [+]
The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List is published every year and celebrates the most influential disabled people in the UK. The 2022 list is published on the 17th October, following a delay to allow for the mourning of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The List is pan-disability and honours hidden disabilities, sensory impairments and muscular-skeletal disabilities equally. As someone with ADHD, I have been nominated this year and the list includes a number of people with hidden disabilities, including top 10 nominee Dr Elliott Spaeth. Inclusion in pan-disability events is vital for those of us who "pass" as abled - we are frequently disbelieved, we internalize this and are less likely to ask for accommodations and hold ourselves in high esteem for overcoming barriers. We typically spent many years undiagnosed, and being told by educators and family that we "must try harder." Understanding our identity as disabled often comes with relief and a letting go of trying to achieve unrealistic perfection.
The Disability Power 100 List recognizes success, inclusion and advocacy. It highlights the pioneers, the changemakers and influencers opening doors for future generations. The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 contenders are nominated by the public and judged by an independent panel and includes categories such as education, Politics, the Arts, Science, Sport, Business and Finance, IT, Media, Entertainment and Community.
The aim of the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 is to shine a light on disabled people who are at the top of their game and in positions of influence across all sectors of society. By publishing the Disability Power 100 list Shaw Trust hopes to pave the way for disabled people, families, employers, organizations and governments to break down prejudice and work towards the creation of a fairer, more inclusive world. That means people being judged on their ability, not their disability.
The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list is an example of the disabled community working to bring about change in society. As Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova said at a recent debate on ‘the Power of Diversity’ at Portcullis House: “Every right, every accomplishment, every victory that has been achieved by our community has been because we demanded it. Nothing has ever been handed to us and it really never will.”
How Can Business Leaders Engage With The Disability Power 100 List?
Shaw Trust would like business leaders to recognize the potential of disabled people and to treat them fairly and equally. The Disability Power 100 in celebrating achievements is also about changing the attitudes that many people have towards disabled people.
Disabled entrepreneur Shani Dhanda said at ‘the Power of Diversity debate’: “I had applied for over 100 jobs. But it wasn’t until I removed any mention of my condition that they offered me an interview and I got a job straight away. It means that people are either judging disabled people on our appearance or pre-conceived ideas that they have.”
Shaw Trust hope that the Disability Power 100 list will encourage business leaders to think differently, to ensure that such experiences become a thing of the past.
The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list is a trigger for a much wider conversation and hopefully fundamental change in society. It is people’s attitude towards disabled people that needs to change.
Cultural leader and broadcaster Andrew Miller told ‘the Power of Diversity debate’ meeting: “In both attitudinal and access terms we have a long journey to go before we reach any kind of level playing field. That means establishing a wider understanding of ableism. It needs to be understood in the same context as racism and social issues.”
For further information about the Disability Power 100 www.disabilitypower100.com
