The Social Model of Disability

At Shaw Trust our work is guided by the social model of disability. We also support the identity model, which is closely related to the social model and emphasizes disability as a positive identity.  The social model of disability The social model of disability recognises society runs in ways that are disabling. It says disability is created […]

2024 Shortlist Announced!

photograph of the winners from 2023 on a stage as a group, they are looking slightly to the right and are in front of a red screen with white writing saying The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100

This year, the Disability Power 100 received 786 nominations. Well done to everyone who entered. 367 high-quality nominees were shortlisted. These nominees are trailblazers and role models who are making a significant impact on the lives of disabled people in the UK. They are building a more inclusive society that values the strengths and talents […]

A psychedelic version of Kes

Drawing of a man in a half lying pose with his head raised. The style is colourful and reflects Aztec or Mexican styling, the face is colourfully exposed to show the eye, jaw, teeth and brain. There are people who look like trees moving up the figure. The figure has one hand pointing upwards. The colours are bright.

Disability Power 100 finalist, Jason Wilsher-Mills’s new solo show at the Wellcome Collection. Celebrated in the 2023 Disability Power 100, Jason Wilsher-Mills has much to look forward to in 2024. With a new solo exhibition opening at the Wellcome Collection and involvement with SHAPE Arts’s pavilion of British artists with disabilities at the Venice Biennale.Disability […]

Differently Enabled prize draw winners announced

Three black and white close up photos of faces. The first face is a Black man with short curly black hair, blue glasses, wearing a green jacket with a bow tie, smiling, stood against a grey background that has names written all over it. The second is a white female with long dark blonde hair. She is wearing a white V-neck jumper off the shoulder to display a Hickman Line on her chest. She is looking straight at the camera. The third is an artist wearing a hat, black spectacles and a beard, looking at his artwork

“When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you do good.”That’s the motto of Differently Enabled, one of our 2023 sponsors, who we collaborated with to host a Disability Power 100 finalist prize draw.Differently Enabled, who make bespoke, accessible clothing, kindly offered finalists the opportunity to win a co-created outfit, and […]

Disability Power 100 finalist wins Woman of Courage Award

An image of a woman with long blonde hair seated in a wheelchair

Deborah Lawson, named as one of the UK’s most influential disabled people by the 2023 Disability Power 100, was honoured with the ‘Woman of Courage Award’ from the Global She Inspires Awards in November and also achieved her second ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in November from the National Advocacy Awards. Recognised as the youngest recipient of […]

Theme Park Super Fan Launches Access Card Ambassador Team

Three people, two men in wheelchairs, and a woman with tinted glasses and headphones, stood against a brightly colours theme park map, smiling

Eighteen-year-old Iona Wilkinson, a self-confessed theme parks superfan, has become the first disabled person to be officially recognised as an ambassador for the Access Card scheme.College student Iona, who lives near Sheffield, has visual and mobility impairments and also lives with autism and dyspraxia which means that she needs an essential companion on a day […]