For the second year running, Scott Watkin BEM, who lives on the Isle of Wight, has been named as one of the most influential people with a disability in the UK, as part of The Power List 100.
The Shaw Trust Disability Power List 100 is an annual publication of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK and in 2019, nearly 200 nominations were received for the 100 places.
In 2017, Scott won the Making a Difference award from the National Learning Disability and Autism Awards, and in 2018 he was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours List. In 2019, his campaigning work as part of the team at SeeAbility contributed to an NHS policy change, meaning a whole generation of children with learning disabilities will get the eye care they vitally need.
Today Scott works with policymakers and ministers to ensure people with learning disabilities are represented, respected and heard in healthcare, social care and education, as well as in government and the media. He also leads SeeAbility’s engagement programme where he is mentoring and supporting a team of a team of young people with lived experience of learning disabilities, autism and sight loss to become future leaders.
The Associates, as they are known, are learning new skills in campaigning, public speaking and leadership, so that they can they speak up and campaign on behalf of people with learning disabilities and help change society for the better.
Throughout the recent pandemic, Scott, who is Head of Engagement at Seeability, has worked tirelessly with the Associates, to maintain their profile via campaigning activity, blogging and contributing to virtual discussions.
Scott has said:
“I’m surprised but really excited and honoured to be included in the 2020 Disability Power List 100 for the second time! My teacher told me I would never get a job, never live independently and never have a family. I have since broken down every one of these barriers and am living proof of what can be achieved with the right support. I will always work to make sure people with learning disabilities have a voice and can make a difference.”
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Lisa Hopkins, CEO of SeeAbility, said:
“Congratulations to Scott for all he has achieved. Once again he has been rightly recognised for his outstanding commitment to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. All of us at SeeAbility are incredibly proud and fortunate to call Scott our colleague.”
Well done Scott I am proud of you and what you have achieved despite your disability. Keep going I am others are right behind you.
Thank you I just do my best and try to achieve and support others to achieve too
Well done Scott, we have a grandson with Asperger’s, but still managed to get to University and get a degree, but despite that struggles with finding suitable employment. So again well done , we know how hard it must have been for you.
I agree you’ve done well getting your son to university what a great achievement I think employers under estimate us because they don’t always think we can work
Absolutely lovely Man and very humble! He recently said to me my wife thinks I’mfar more important than I actually am, Scott I think your Wife is right!! Congratulations x
Thank you Tina you can achieve anything you want to in life