25 November 2008 – Rowen Jade named Chair of 2025
Jonathan Shaw, the Minister for Disabled People, has announced the appointment of Rowen Jade as the Chair of Equality 2025, the UK Advisory Network for Disability Equality. Ms Jade, who has been acting Chair since 4 December 2007, will assume her duties on 1 December 2008 for a three year term.
Equality 2025 was established in December 2006 following a recommendation by Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. The network works towards the Government’s vision that, by 2025, disabled people will enjoy the same opportunities and choices as non-disabled people, and be respected and included as equal members of society.
Jonathan Shaw said: “I am looking forward to working with Rowen as well as the 2025 network, to help achieve equality for disabled people. Rowen brings to the post the experience, enthusiasm and expertise necessary to take forward disability equality issues and influence policymaking across government and I know she will do an outstanding job.”
Rowen Jade said: “I am proud to be leading Equality 2025 at a time when so many Government proposals and decisions are having such a significant impact on disabled people. I look forward to the challenges the post brings and to the opportunities Equality 2025 has, through our advisory role with government, to carry forward the vision of disability equality.”
Equality 2025 is comprised of 19 disabled people from across the UK who work with Government policy-makers to ensure they understand disabled peoples’ views and perspectives on a variety of issues, and are able to tap into their views and experiences. The group’s early involvement in the policy-making process helps government departments move towards the goal of disability equality by ensuring policies are well-informed, barriers to equality are identified and ways to overcome those barriers are developed.
Notes for Editors
- Equality 2025 is a non-departmental public body that advises Government at the earliest stages of policy-making. It is sponsored by (but not part of) the Office for Disability Issues. The body is ultimately responsible to the Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw.
- For more information: http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/equality2025/
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