John McFall, a member of the ESA astronaut reserve and 2023 Disability Power 100 finalist, played an important part in the 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony.
John, who won a Bronze medal for Great Britain in at the Beijing 2008 games, was one of two flag bearers representing the whole paralympic community, alongside French sailor Damien Seguin.
“I like to think that my presence at this year’s ceremony, in my new role at the European Space Agency, attests to and embodies the success, reach and legacy of the Paralympic movement,” he said.
“With every new step of my journey, I am proud to be challenging preconceptions around the professional roles in which we should expect to see people with physical disabilities. I am committed to playing my part in laying the foundations for a future that is diverse, inclusive, and full of opportunity for all.”
The UK Space Agency is supporting John’s work with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the Fly! Feasibility study, which aims to clear the path for an astronaut with a physical disability to take part in a long duration mission to the International Space Station.
In July 2024, ESA announced there were no technical showstoppers to possibility of flying an astronaut with a disability like John’s on such a mission.
After losing his right leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19, John embarked on a successful career in athletics, competing as a British Paralympic sprinter.
He then transitioned into medicine, qualifying as a Trauma and Orthopaedic Specialist before being selected by ESA as a member of the astronaut reserve in November 2022.
Euan MacDonald MBE, ground-breaking social philanthropist and entrepreneur
We were saddened to hear of Euan MacDonald’s death last week. A powerful and impactful advocate, Euan was recognised in the Disability Power 100 2018-2022.
Euan’s friends and colleagues have written how he was the driving force behind Euan’s Guide, and an inspiration to many, leading the way as an altruistic and selfless philanthropist and social entrepreneur.
His aspiration to create accurate information about disabled access, accessible toilets or find an accessible hotel room meant that millions of disabled people using Euan’s Guide could quickly, reliably and easily plan trips, experiences and events.
This year once again Euan’s work was recognised by the Disability Power 100 judges as impactful, influential and innovative.
On behalf of Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 we send our condolences to Euan’s friends, family and colleagues.
Exciting news! We can now reveal that the 2024 Disability Power 100 will be presented by Fats Timbo and we’ll have Kelli Blanchett and Signkid performing live at the event.
Happening on 20 November at The Drum, Wembley and online, Disability Power 100 is described as ‘the hottest ticket in town’ by current no.1, Shani Dhanda.
All finalists selected by the judges for this year’s Disability Power 100 have now been contacted. With around 400 nominees shortlisted, it was a difficult task for the judges this year. A huge thank you to all of them for their hard work, commitment and impartiality.
We’ll announce this year’s 100 and overall winner live at the event on 20 November and we’ll be contacting everyone in September with ticket details for the event. Capacity is limited and 2024 finalists will be given priority booking.
If you can’t attend in person, don’t worry because the whole event will be livestreamed so you won’t miss one beat of the action!
The timely report features case studies from several of the DP 100 community, including 2023 finalist, Isaac Harvey MBE
“For sport to be accessible for disabled people you need a real sense of community, where everyone can feel included. We need people to assume disabled people can play sport and enjoy it as much as anyone else, otherwise negative assumptions can become true,” he says.
Isaac Harvey MBE is a disability advocate, content creator and is president at Wheels and Wheelchairs
His advocacy has broadened access to sports for disabled individuals and challenged societal perceptions of disability. He emphasises that sports provide health benefits, community engagement and fulfilment and that everyone, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to participate.
Breaking down barriers
The report highlights the barriers that still face disabled people in sport, whether as spectators or participants and offers practical ways to break these down.
Key findings include:
– 51.8% of disabled people surveyed were prevented from watching sport due to a lack of accessibility in their venue of choice
– 49.1% of respondents said that there were a lack of suitable options to play sport, or take part in physical activity, near where they lived
– 26.4% said that the lack of Social Care support was what prevented them from taking part in the activity they wish
– 22.6% said that Accessible Transport was a major barrier for them.
Overall, it concludes that much work has been done, but there’s still a long way to go to achieve meaningful change in sport – particularly at a grassroots level and in the culture of society, to break down barriers for disabled people.
Primark is partnering with award-winning adaptive designer and Disability Power 100 advocate, Victoria Jenkins in order to bring affordable, adaptive fashion to the high street.
The partnership is the next stage in Primark’s journey to become a more accessible place to work and shop. One of its key aims is to make adaptive fashion more accessible and affordable.
“I am thrilled to be working with Primark as part of my mission to bring affordable adaptive fashion to the high street,” says Victoria.
“By Primark recognising the needs of the disabled and chronic sick community and acting upon it in such a meaningful way is going to be life changing for millions of people, and I am excited to work with Primark to bring this to life.”
Back in January, Primark launched its first adaptive underwear range and admitted it learnt a lot from that first small collection.
As our No.2 in 2023 and huge Disability Power 100 supporter, Victoria has more than a decade’s experience in the fashion industry.
She founded her award-winning adaptive fashion brand, Unhidden, in 2016 as part of her mission to normalise universal design through the lens of her own journey with disability.
Unhidden has gone on to be the first adaptive brand to become a member of the British Fashion Council and show at London Fashion Week.
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