Independent Disability Advisory Panel Established to Shape UK Policy
The UK Government has launched the Independent Disability Advisory Panel, comprising ten experts with direct experience of disability and long-term health conditions, to influence decision-making in areas affecting disabled individuals. The panel held its first meeting recently as part of the Government’s commitment to integrating the voices of disabled people into its Plan for Change.
Panel Composition and Mission
Selected from a pool of over 300 applicants, the panel features representatives from diverse regions across Great Britain, including Scotland, Wales, and the Southwest. Their collective expertise spans employment support, health services, disability rights, and policy research.
Led by Chair Zara Todd, a prominent disability rights advocate, the panel aims to provide valuable insights directly to Ministers on policies related to:
- Access to Work
- Disability Confident
- The Keep Britain Working Review recommendations
Government Commitment
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, expressed the urgency of this initiative, stating that decisions regarding disabled individuals have often been made without their input. He acknowledged the panel’s potential to shape policies that genuinely address the needs of disabled people, emphasizing the importance of their lived experiences in guiding future actions.
Expectations for Collaboration
The Independent Disability Advisory Panel will function independently from the ongoing Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment, although both efforts will collaborate and share insights. This approach illustrates the Government’s dedication to ensuring that disabled individuals are not only heard but actively involved in shaping policies that affect their lives.
Insights from the Chair
In her remarks, Zara Todd highlighted the panel’s potential to serve as a crucial platform for influencing governmental actions. She noted that the varied experiences of panel members will enable the panel to offer well-rounded and practical advice, grounded in real-life contexts.
Panel Members
The panel includes notable figures, such as:
- Laura Fulcher (Southwest) – CEO, Mission Remission
- John Kerr (Scotland) – Employability Development Officer, East Lothian Council
- Jeff Banks (Southeast) – CEO, Lightyear Foundation
- Tracy Lazard (London) – CEO, Inclusion London
- Nabila Gardner (Midlands) – Director/Founder, Ways for Wellbeing UK CIC
- Molly Deakin (Yorkshire) – Policy and Campaigns Officer, Together Trust
- Arun Veerappan (London) – Director of Research, The Disability Policy Centre
- Noor Al-Koky (Southwest) – Senior Commissioning Manager, Gloucestershire County Council & NHS
- Damian Bridgeman (Wales) – Director, Freedom 365 Limited
- Isaac Samuels OBE (London) – Community Campaigner and Co-production Advisor
Background
The establishment of this panel follows the Get Britain Working White Paper, which signaled a shift in how government policies are devised, aiming to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of disabled individuals directly inform future plans.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/from-lived-experience-to-lasting-change-disability-advisory-panel-begins-work
