25 July 2006 - Outside expert appointed for disability equality drive
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire announced yesterday that Sally Witcher, currently Chair of the Disability Employment Advisory Committee (DEAC), has been appointed as an Assistant Director of the Government’s Office for Disability Issues (ODI). Sally has a track record of working in various roles in the disability and poverty fields and will bring a fresh perspective to the ODI’s work.
Speaking at a meeting of the All Party Group on Disability, Anne McGuire said:
“I am delighted that Sally Witcher has accepted this post within the Office for Disability Issues. We need to tap into knowledge and expertise from outside Government if we are to be successful in delivering equality for disabled people.
“Sally has an impressive record of both campaigning and working with Government to improve the lives of disabled people and will make a huge contribution to the work of the ODI.”
Sally, who has personal experience of disability, will take up her new post at the heart of delivering the Government’s strategy for disabled people from October. Speaking today, she said:
“The Office for Disability Issues has a vitally important role to play in placing disabled people’s views at the heart of public policy and supporting Government to deliver disability equality. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved in taking this forward.”
Notes for editors
- The Office for Disability Issues was launched in December 2005 to drive
forward Government’s strategy for disabled people. Its first Annual
Report to the Prime Minister was published on 13 July and can be accessed
via www.officefordisability.gov.uk.
- Sally Witcher OBE is currently Chair
of Disability Employment Advisory Committee, a role she will step down
from in August. She has experience
within the fields
of poverty, social security benefits and social policy-making processes.
Former positions held include Director of the Child Poverty Action Group
and Campaign
Worker for Disability Alliance. She is currently based in Edinburgh where
she works as a freelance equality consultant, researcher and trainer.
Sally is
also a member of research advisory committees including the Centre for
Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics.
- DEAC is an advisory Committee that gives independent, informed advice to government Ministers and officials about helping disabled people find and keep work. It is a Non Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions.
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