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Blog by
Gary Bourlet and Dr Mark Brookes
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The Learning Disability and Autism Leaders’ List is all about celebrating the achievements of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
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As well as an award, it is a national recognition of achievement.
The winners’ stories are shared nationally, and they receive a certificate, celebration pack and VIP invite to a celebration event.
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The awards are run by Dimensions, in partnership with Learning Disability England and Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG).
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We have been both been judges for the Leaders’ List and won awards for our work as self-advocacy leaders.
(Mark made it onto the Leaders List and Gary on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, celebrating influential disabled people in the UK.)
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Gary on what it felt like to win an award:
“It was a nice feeling because people were letting me know what I had achieved and could see it, I hadn’t realised it myself.
I always like to ask people ‘am I doing well?’ and when I won it felt like everyone was telling me ‘Yes! You are’”
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Mark on what it was like to win:
“Winning was a triple wammy for me, I got a doctorate, an MBE and made it onto the Leaders List all in one year!
I felt really honoured to get three in one go.”
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We both found it more difficult to judge the Leaders’ List, it felt like everyone was a winner.
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At the same time, it was great to read all the applications, there was not one person that didn’t deserve it.
It was really uplifting and positive as well as a long and tiring process.
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We want to encourage people to nominate anyone with a learning disability and/or autism who they think are inspiring.
Achievements are judged on what they mean to a person.
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We also think it’s really important to recognise young people and minority ethnic people.
But anyone can be nominated with a learning disability and/or autism who is from the United Kingdom, you can nominate as many people as you want and even yourself.
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You can find all the details here on how you can nominate. There are easy-read and plain texts forms to fill out.
You can also ask questions and find out about previous winners.
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The Leaders’ List makes people’s lives better, winning gives people confidence and a sense of achievement.
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For lots of people it is the beginning of a journey, for us both we were already well into our journey.
But for many people it helps them to feel they can go on to achieve better things and have a bright future.
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The award can also be a starting point to promote your image and networks.
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Most importantly, The Leaders’ List shows the world what people with learning disabilities can achieve.