Dr Shani Dhanda announced as UK’s most influential disabled person
Multi-award-winning disability inclusion and accessibility specialist, social entrepreneur and broadcaster Dr Shani Dhanda has been named number one on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list for 2023.
The Disability Power 100 recognises the most influential disabled people in the UK. It is compiled by a panel of independent experts who, this year, reviewed a record-breaking 1,519 nominations of disability changemakers from members of the public.
Shani (pictured) sparks transformative change as a consultant, having collaborated with over 300 businesses and brands to authentically embrace inclusion and accessibility.
Her expertise in disability inclusion has had a profound global impact, collectively reaching over 1.5 million employees worldwide. She has shared stages with notable figures, including Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Navigating the world as a South Asian woman experiencing disability, her intersectional activism serves as a catalyst for challenging social inequality worldwide through entrepreneurial ventures, founding initiatives like Diversability, the Asian Woman Festival and the Asian Disability Network.
Beyond her impactful advocacy, Shani is a familiar face on television, presenting on shows like This Morning and Rip off Britain, sharing insights as a guest panellist on Loose Women, and contributing to various other daytime and news programs, including Eastenders; she brings her insights to diverse audiences.
Having received more than twenty-five honours and awards, among them an Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences from the University of Wolverhampton, she was also named in the BBC's 100 Women Laureate in 2020.
Expressing her gratitude, Shani said: Being recognised as the most influential disabled figure in the UK by Shaw Trust is truly overwhelming.
“This recognition holds immense importance for me as it marks a remarkable milestone in my journey. Additionally, I'm sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be the first person from the global majority to hold the number one spot.”
Looking ahead, Shani is poised for the release of her first educational book for children, ‘No Horn Unicorn’.
Additionally, she has just launched Fair Dues, a valuable resource designed to address pay inequality and empower freelancers with disabilities, marking a significant step forward in her advocacy efforts.
