Welcome to Shaw Trust Disability Power 100

DEMAND THE CHANGE

Welcome to the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100. The UK’s leading recognition awards for disabled leaders, trailblazers and change makers.

A platform for change it showcases the UK’s most influential disabled individuals and organisations. Celebrating ambition, achievement and impact.

For the finalists recognised in the Disability Power 100, this is an award that says you’re a leader in your field, recognised by your peers and a catalyst for positive impact.

Each year the awards create a space for members of the disabled community to celebrate and enjoy a night of purple-carpet glam, powerful stories, and incredible achievement in person and online.

National charity, Shaw Trust, delivers the event and directory to help tackle the disability employment gap head-on and challenge perceptions. Providing a platform for the talents and voices of disabled people to be heard.

The List

Awards

Judges

Sponsors

Awards highlight film (2023)

The Disability Power 100 recognises the most influential disabled people in the UK. It celebrates their ambition and achievements, and provides much needed encouragement to the leaders of tomorrow.

News

Disability inclusion: good for society. Good for business.

Living Made Easy and Accessibility Services: Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility Every Day

Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams

Good evening. Welcome to Wembley.

It is an absolute pleasure to be here tonight. There are 16 million disabled people in the UK, and the Power 100 highlights the incredible work so many are doing and it’s an honour to be among you all.

It’s not often we as a community get recognition. When you’re in the thick of removing barriers and fighting injustices how often do we stop to think and look at the progress that we’ve made?

I’m lucky enough that within my industry in television, it’s in the public eye, people see what I do, and it’s easier to get credit for that. But there’s a lot of people who work tirelessly, disabled people who are pushing boundaries far more than I ever have who go under the radar.

84% of disability is acquired through life. It is relevant to all of us.

It was incredible this evening. It’s very emotional because when you have been a judge and you’ve been through all of the nominations and to see that come to fruition and the impact it has for them, their families and everyone in the room and beyond, it’s quite special.

This new category brings together the importance of community and, of course, disability inclusion.

To get an award from my community, it’s probably my proudest moment.

Tonight, it’s been fantastic. It’s been a really good night. I won an award!

We’re all getting recognised more and more and more for what we’re doing outside of these spaces because people are waking up to how incredible and talented this community is.

Honestly, I can’t explain to you how much joy and excitement it’s brought to each of the categories.

There were so many good bits, I was clapping though.

It was great to see Fraser tonight who was in the Power 100, but as a ten year old that’s making change, that’s delivering impact. That’s what the next generation can bring.

Our winner for this year’s Shaw Trust Disability Power 100. Dr. Shani Dhanda.

It hasn’t quite sunk in. I really wasn’t expecting it, but it means the world to be recognised by your own community.

It’s not just about being able to say that we have a diverse group of people around us, but how do we make everyone feel as though they belong?

We just need to understand what the lived experience is. We need to listen. We need to react, and then we need to listen, we need to react.

This event is really important because it shines a spotlight on positivity. It can truly make a difference to the way that society thinks, believes and to mindset and I think mindset really matters.

To be in a room full of disabled people doing great things and for it to be celebrated and embraced. Changes are coming. Believe you me.