Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
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Commission appoints new members to its Disability Committee

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has appointed seven new members to its Disability Committee to steer its crucial work to tackle discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

The Disability Committee is a statutory decision-making committee which plays a key role in the Commission’s governance.  Significant aspects of its work over the next year will be contributing to development of the Commission’s next strategic plan, supporting delivery of “Is Britain Fairer?” - the Commission’s periodic review of Britain’s progress on equality and human rights, and informing the UK’s forthcoming examination under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People.

Chris Holmes, Disability Commissioner and Chair of the Disability Committee said:

“Fairness, dignity and respect are values we all share, and we are delighted to welcome the new members of the Disability Committee to help the Commission’s important work to improve the lives of disabled people. They are all strong and experienced leaders and bring a wealth of talent. They will support the Commission in developing its strategic vision of a fairer and more inclusive Britain.

“We would like to thank the members of the Disability Committee whose terms of office end in September and those who will finish at the end of January.  They have made a strong contribution for which we are very grateful”

The appointments follow an open recruitment process. Successful candidates were selected on the basis of their understanding of the barriers that stop disabled people from taking a full and equal part in society and their experience of challenging these.

They were also required to demonstrate an understanding of differences across England, Scotland and Wales gained from either being a disabled person or someone with significant experience of either working with or supporting disabled people.

Following an independent review in 2013 it was decided that the Disability Committee’s statutory status should cease in 2017 and it should be replaced by a strategic advisory group.

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 0161 829 8102, out of hours 07767 272 818. 

Notes to Editors

The new members are:

Rachel Perkins

Rachel was Chair of Equality 2025 and has 30 years’ experience of using and working in NHS mental health services. She is an outstanding academic with an OBE for services to mental health.

Saghir Alam

Saghir is a current member of the Disability Committee.  Saghir is Chair of Action on Disability Development,  UK BME Council and Faith and Education Institute. He is patron of Include Me Too and Ethnic Disabled Children Society; his influence on and with BME groups, plus a strong interest in dual discrimination issues offers a unique and essential perspective to the Committee.

Michele Scattergood

As CEO of Breakthrough UK Michele has an unrivalled credibility in the Disabled Persons sector. She is a strong communicator with experience of effecting change in partnership with public sector organisations.

Marc Bush

Dr Marc Bush; Director of Policy & Intelligence at Healthwatch England, former Head of Research and Public Policy at Scope, Marc has a distinguished academic background in autism and a reputation for innovation and strong strategic thinking.

Anna Lawson

Professor Anna Lawson has extensive experience of working on Boards and is coordinator of the accessibility strand of the EU Academic Network of Experts on Disability (ANED) and also participated in the ad hoc committee which drafted the CRPD. Anna is at the top of her field in the area of disability and human rights.

Helen Chipchase

Helen brings essential private sector experience. She has experience as Interim Head of Diversity at Sainsbury’s and also has extensive experience as Disability and Carers Lead at BT Diversity Centre of Expertise.  

Rob Greig 

Chief Executive National Development Team for Inclusion.  Rob brings particular expertise in the area of learning disabilities where he has extensive knowledge and networks.  He was previously National Director: Learning Disabilities at Department of Health where he led the national implementation and delivery of cross-government White Paper – Valuing People.

  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It operates as an independent body to protect and promote equality and human rights in Great Britain.  It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.  

 

Channel website: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en

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