05 October 2007 – First public meeting for government Advisory Network of Disabled People
Equality 2025, the United Kingdom Advisory Network on Disability Equality, will hold its first public meeting in Birmingham on 12 November 2007 to get the views of disabled people on issues they would like the government to address.
It is looking to attract a diverse audience from around the UK to participate in this interactive meeting. More information is available at www.officefordisability.gov.uk/equality2025.
Two new members who have been appointed to Equality 2025 will attend the meeting. The new members increase the diversity of impairment groups represented on Equality 2025 and help ensure effective links with disabled people and their organisations across the UK.
Dr Gary McGladdery joined Equality 2025 in May 2007. A disability Officer at Queens University in Belfast, he has been employed by a number of organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, including Disability Action Northern Ireland. Dr. McGladdery has extensive experience in disability research, policy development and legislation. His appointment will provide a vital link to enable disabled people in Northern Ireland a voice in disability issues in Westminster.
Speaking about his appointment, Dr. McGladdery said:
“I am delighted to be appointed as the Northern Ireland Reserved Appointee for Equality 2025. This represents a great personal opportunity to assist in the process of achieving full equality for disabled people across the UK, with particular focus on Northern Ireland. I hope that I can make a positive contribution to the work of Equality 2025 and look forward to helping to bring about positive change over the next few years."
Pauline Latchem attended her first meeting with Equality 2025 in July 2007. Ms Latchem identifies as a Deaf person and is a British Sign Language (BSL) user. Her appointment will provide a crucial link with the Deaf community and help Equality 20205 to consider issues that affect all disabled people in the UK. She has extensive voluntary and paid experience and has worked with deaf and hearing people of all ages. She is committed to the full inclusion of marginalised disabled people, including those with learning disabilities and mental health issues. She is an experienced trainer and advocate, and a qualified counsellor.
On joining Equality 2025, Ms Latchem said:
“I feel hugely privileged to join Equality 2025 and to be part of such a dynamic and experienced group. It is an exciting and challenging opportunity to put forward the views of Deaf BSL users and marginalised disabled people and to actively promote change and inclusion for all.”
The aim of Equality 2025 is to influence government’s policy at an early stage so that disabled people get the services they want, when they need them. It has a membership of 23 disabled people with diverse impairments, skills and experiences.
Notes for Editors
- Equality 2025 was established in December 2006 to act as a voice for disabled people across the UK and to influence policy and service delivery design at an early stage. The body was set up following intensive work with an advisory group of 13 disabled people who were recruited through open competition to advise government on the role, remit and membership of Equality 2025.
- Member’s details are available on the Office for Disability Issues
website at www.officefordisability.gov.uk or
contact the secretariat at:
Equality 2025
Office for Disability Issues
Level 6
The Adelphi
1 – 11 John Adam St
London
WC2N 6HT - The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit report, ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People’, published in January 2005, set out the Government’s strategy for disabled people. It included some sixty recommendations for improving disabled people’s lives, focusing on four key themes: early years, the transition from childhood into adulthood, employment and independent living. The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) was launched in December 2005 to drive this strategy forward and report publicly on the progress being made. More information about the work of the ODI and Equality 2025 can be found on the ODI website www.officefordisability.gov.uk.
For media enquiries contact DWP press office on: 020 3267 5125
Out of hours: 079659 108 883
Website: www.officefordisability.gov.uk
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www.direct.gov.uk/disability