Embracing your disabled identity

We are excited to hold our first members social event, where you will be able to meet other members, share experiences and have fun.

Date: Monday 14 November 2022

Time: 6:30pm to 8pm

Location: online using Zoom

About the event

During this event, you will hear from guest speakers about their experiences living as a disabled person. You will also have the chance to share your own experiences and meet other members.

Please make sure you join before 6:30pm, as we have a packed schedule.

• 6.30pm: Welcome from Scope’s Membership Programme Lead
• 6.35pm: Jacqueline Stephens (Chair) introduces the theme and the speakers
• 6.40pm: Icebreaker activities (using Zoom polls and breakout rooms)
• 6.50pm: Speakers panel
• 7.30pm: Roundtable with members
• 8pm: Event ends

How to attend

You need to be a registered Scope member and have signed up to attend this event. If you are interested in this event, please register before Monday 7 November. 

Registered attendees will receive a Zoom link on Sunday 13 November. Please keep this link safe, as you will need it to join the event on the day.

Event speakers

We are pleased to have the following speakers talking to you about their experiences.

Jacqueline Stephens (Chair)

Long-standing member of Scope, Jacqueline is part of Scope Assembly and Scope Cerebral Palsy Network. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Jacqueline is following a successful career as Business Development Manager.

She is a strenuous and unstoppable activist for disabled people's rights, working to foster inclusion of black and other ethnic minorities groups in the fight for disability equality.

Harriet Cavanagh

Harriet has worked at Scope since 2015, she's now part of Scope’s Insight team.

She has worked and volunteered in many disability, LGBTQ+ and equity related projects. She became disabled as a young teenager and has spoken about her experiences as a white, chronically ill, LGBTQ+ woman without much formal education due to access barriers.

She believes that disabled identity and solidarity are key for people to explore and use their voices.

Judith Smale

Judith has Fascio Scalpio Humerio Muscular Dystrophy. Diagnosed at the age of 8, she uses an electric wheelchair since 12. First class Business Studies degree from the University of Northumbria, she won 1998 Young Achiever of the Year.

She works as Volunteering Manager for Cumbria CVS. Judith enjoys cooking, food, going to concerts, gardening, travelling the world, and spending time with family, friends and her husband Nathan.

Abdi Gas

Abdi Gas joined Scope in 2018 and currently works as Membership and Events Programme Coordinator, and supports the Cerebral Palsy Network activities. He is a deaf graduate, with a strong affiliation to Inclusion and Access.

He has worked throughout the UK and in other countries as an Access Consultant and an adviser on Deaf Issues and ensuring access in the workplace. Abdi continues to support the Deaf Community through a range of charity volunteering.