Not-for-profit support provider Dimensions has announced the members of its Learning Disability and Autism Leaders List.

The Leaders’ List, run in partnership with Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG)  and  My Vote My Voice, a campaign to remove voting barriers, recognises people with learning disabilities and autistic people who are challenging stereotypes and making communities better for themselves and others. 

Recent research conducted by Dimensions found that only 25% of the public think society is inclusive of people with learning disabilities or autistic people. The research also found that 72% of people with learning disabilities and autistic people have felt ignored by society, and only 37% think they get the same opportunities as everyone else.

Winners of the Leaders List are calling for their voices to be heard. Lorraine Stanley, who is autistic and became disabled at 32, founded training organisation Sex With A Difference (SWAD) to address the lack of resources on disability and sex. She said: “In 2024, I would like to see people with disabilities and autistic people having power in politics. If an MP happens to be neurodivergent, it is about stepping up and saying, I’m neurodivergent. We don’t want to be left on the scrap heap.”

Rachael Dodgson, Dimensions chief executive, said: “2024 is set to be a year of immense political change across the globe, but ending systemic injustice can only follow from listening to and championing the voices of our diverse communities. It is vital that people in power and society take note of these stories, as we look towards a society where every individual’s worth is recognised and celebrated.” 

The Leaders List award winners are:

Lorraine Stanley, founder of training organisation Sex with a Difference

Crystal Higgins, founding member of the Girls Group, a safe space for women with learning disabilities and autistic women in her area

Kelly Rainey, who has a learning disability, mental health needs, and is autistic, and was supported by the government’s Transforming Care programme to move into her own home

Ben Fai Lankshear who represented Great Britain as a cyclist at the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin, winning a bronze and a team silver medal

Richard Redmond, a Health Check Champion, who delivers workshops and promotes the importance of accessing health checks for people with disabilities

Jason Eade, an active member of learning disability-led arts organisation Carousel