- Independent Disability Advisory Panel will have broad remit
across health and disability policy
- Panel will consist of up to 10 Deaf and disabled people and
people with long-term health conditions, for the Government to
listen to, learn from, and collaborate with
- Demonstrates Government's commitment to including the
expertise of disabled people in policy design and delivery as
part of the Plan for Change
Equity and inclusion consultant Zara Todd has been appointed as
Chair of the Government's new Independent Disability Advisory
Panel, taking a guiding role in its development and
focus.
Deaf and disabled people and individuals with long-term health
conditions on the newly-created panel will also advise the
Government on health and disability policies.
Announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper, the panel will
be an independent advisory group with a broad remit across all of
health and disability policy.
It will provide guidance, recommendations and feedback to embed
lived experience into policy design and delivery, aiming to build
trust and strengthen relationships with the sector.
With over 20 years of experience working with a range of
organisations on Disability Equality and participation , Zara
Todd will be central in recruiting the wider panel and reporting
its ideas and insights back to the Government.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir said:
“It is absolutely vital that the voices of Deaf and disabled
people and those with long-term health conditions are at the
centre of our health and disability policy design, so I am
pleased to announce Zara Todd as the Chair of new Independent
Disability Advisory Panel.
“Zara's extensive and wide-ranging experience, including
designing and facilitating disability inclusive spaces, will be
invaluable in guiding the collaboration we hope to build.
“I look forward to listening to, learning from and collaborating
with the Panel over the coming months.”
Zara Todd, Chair of the Disability Advisory Panel
said:
"I'm delighted to chair the new Independent Disability Advisory
Panel and help ensure Deaf and disabled people and people with
long-term health conditions are heard in Government
policy-making.
"The Panel will aim to strengthen relationships between the
Government and sector, and I look forward to working with other
disabled people to connect lived experience with policy
development.
“I hope that working collaboratively, we can build stronger links
and build an approach that works for all."
Since 2024, Zara has been a Chairperson of the Edinburgh
Accessibility Commission, providing independent advice on
accessibility for disabled people to Edinburgh council. She is
currently a member of the mobility and access committee for
Scotland (MACS) she is a member of the British Council Disability
Advisory Panel and is currently the convener of Disability
Equality Scotland
She has a long history of working with disabled people's
organisations including the Alliance for inclusive education the
European network on independent living and equal lives. Zara is
currently on the board of disabled people's international and was
previously the chair of inclusion London. She is an experienced
trainer and facilitator and delivers training in disability
equality and human rights.
The Panel will run separately to the Timms Review of Personal
Independence Payment (PIP), but expertise and insight will be
shared between the two.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- An Expression of Interest for the Independent Disability
Advisory Panel will be launched soon on GOV.UK to appoint Panel
members. Full application details will be available on GOV.UK
once the recruitment campaign officially launches.
