Disability Wales is looking for Embolden Ambassadors – Deaf or disabled women in Wales who are breaking stereotypes, achieving great things and creating positive change.
In the year running up to the centenary celebrations in March 2018 of women obtaining the vote, Disability Wales, with funding from Spirit of 2012 and the Fawcett Society, is highlighting the achievements of Welsh disabled women, now and in history.
Nominate Now
Visit www.disabilitywales.org/blog/embolden to make your nomination before 28 August.
These stories and accompanying images will be used to create a campaign aimed at challenging myths and stereotypes about disability and showcasing our amazing women role models.
Embolden: Spirit of Disabled Women is a vision to change negative perceptions of disabled people by sharing stories about the achievements of disabled women in Wales; and provoking conversations that challenge attitudes about disability. The nomination categories are:
- Community activist
- Career success
- Contribution to the arts
- Sports excellence
- Educational achievements
- Amazing in any other way
or
- Historical
Disability Wales is also collecting nominations for women in recent or distant history who have made a contribution towards disability rights or are allies of disabled women.
Rhian Davies, Disability Wales Chief Executive, said: “Embolden is such an exciting initiative: Deaf and disabled women are too often invisible and this is a wonderful opportunity to share their achievements and really challenge people’s perceptions and expectations We look forward to receiving nominations from across Wales and all communities.”
Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society Chief Executive, said: “It is vital that disabled women’s stories are told and that their voices are heard. That’s why Fawcett is delighted to be supporting Disability Wales’ Embolden project. Shattering the stereotypes that society holds about disabled women is vital to building a better society for us all.”
Nomination forms are available at: www.disabilitywales.org/blog/embolden
The closing date is 28th August 2017.
Nominations will be shared on Disability Wales’ website and the shortlist of women will be announced in September 2017. A celebration event in March 2018 will present the winners with their title and award.
The nomination form is available online with British Sign Language translation: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/embolden
VIDEO
Watch Sian Preddy, the Womenspire Champion of Champions 2017. Siân is currently studying to become a midwife at the University of South Wales and will become the only deaf midwife in Wales.
Siân is not just bringing her skills to the women she will support as they birth their babies; she is also injecting her passion for deaf awareness into every academic and clinical setting she enters, supporting others to learn and develop by building a more equal playing field for many women to follow.
After receiving many knock backs, Siân is now in her second year of study and is inspiring others around her as well as other women and girls who may be in a similar position. As a British Sign Language user, Siân is also in a unique position to support her patients who may not have been able to access this support previously.