Board of Commissioners | VODG Commission on COVID-19, Disablism and Systemic Racism
Our Board of Commissioners all have lived experience of disability and are leaders in their respective fields, driving change around issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion.
The Commissioners are responsible for overseeing and steering the delivery of this work, including:
- Shaping the planned approach, providing feedback and guidance on research and engagement plans.
- Reviewing progress of the Commission to ensure it continues to reflect the views of Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups
- Supporting and advising on engagement with the disability community and allies.
- Shaping key findings and supporting the development of solutions.
- Supporting the dissemination of findings and policy influencing work.
Kamran Mallick
I am a British Asian Disabled person. I have lived experience as a Disabled person since catching the Polio virus at the age of 3. I am a wheelchair user and have post-Polio syndrome. I have professional experience working in our sector since the start of my career and have dedicated myself to championing Disabled people and challenging the structural inequalities that we experience. These inequalities re multiplied with the intersection of race and disability.
I lived through the pandemic and experienced first-hand the impact of decisions made by government that negatively impacted on me. I set up a network of Disabled People’s Organisations at the start of the pandemic to identify Disabled people’s experiences across the country and to collectively lobby government and businesses. I know that Disabled people have experienced significant harms through the pandemic.
I am CEO of Disability Rights UK, amplifying the voice of Disabled people to challenge injustice and bring about equality for all Disabled people.
Julie Jaye Charles CBE
I bring my knowledge and vast expertise in delivering programs for racialised Disabled people in an Ambassadorial capacity. My underlying vision is for all communities to experience safe and equitable access to service provision in an equitable society without experiencing inequalities and social exclusion. I have been an advisor on a variety of boards and commissions all of which have benefited from my entrepreneurial style and wealth of grass roots knowledge.
When I was invited to be a commissioner following the impact of COVID-19 and how the pandemic has affected racialised Disabled people I was interested in the focus of disablism and systemic racism. The injustice these communities experience is significantly higher than non racialised people’s experience of life in our society in the UK. As a commissioner, I believe I can enable extensive and constructive dialogue in order to progress the agenda.
I am Founding Executive Director, Start Change CIC. Start Change is a social justice agency working towards eliminating multiple discrimmination endured by intersectional communities.
Dr Amo Raju OBE
Joining the team required little persuasion as I have a keen interest in this piece of work with strong expectations. Disability and Race are both important topics but rarely combined. I therefore feel this is a massive opportunity to produce data which will be available for all but most importantly, should help shape future strategic plans for any business or service which has a sincere commitment to meeting the needs of ‘all’ disabled people.
Having run a user-led led disabled peoples organisation since 1997, I have created and overseen more than 75 projects which included a sensible approach to ensure inclusion of BAME communities
I am Chief Executive of Disability Direct, an information and advice service for disabled people, older people and carers. We are the largest user-led charity in the East Midlands.
Deborah Williams OBE
I bring over 30 years as a creative and strategist to the table and this commission. I also bring a recent background in research and policy design from data collection around diversity and cultural engagement.
I want to know what the problems were with the roll out and be part of the solution as to avoiding this happening again. There is much we hope and need to learn from this Commission and be able to make sure that the positives are enhanced and amplified. And the weaknesses avoided in the future.
I am Executive Director of the Creative Diversity Network (CDN). CDN exists to enable the UK Broadcasting industry to increase diversity and inspire inclusion. We work with our members towards a broadcasting industry with equality at its core.
Clenton Farquharson CBE
l bring to the Commission, conscience to the work and its importance, as well as challenging neutrality and an understanding various forms of oppressions. I am keen to explore intersectionality because there is no such thing as single issues or struggles. We do not live single-issue lives. This is difficult stuff, but we need to address these issues. It will be achieved by treating everyone equitably, or justly according to their circumstances. I have worked hard to bring to the heart of health and social care policy conversations concepts such as justice, morality and intersectionality as well as to build understanding of how someone’s personhood, social, and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege.
The reason l wanted to be a Commissioner is because it has a well-defined but not overly restrictive remit with adequate resources and powers to further our “knowing” and “understanding”. Each is a distinct mindset involving critical thinking. I would like for this work to point to a support system that is fairer, more inclusive, relationship-based – and above all more human – and for our recommendations and input to be taken seriously.
Nelson Mandela is attributed to saying ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’.
I’m the Chair of Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) and Director of a Disabled user-led organisation called Community Navigator Services CIC.