John is based in Gwynedd and is a committed advocate for inclusive outdoor access that supports health and wellbeing. He is a member of the Eryri National Park Authority and the Arfon Dwyfor Land Access Forum, and currently serves as Chair of Mynediad Arfon Access. A former Director of Disability Wales, he brings governance and public sector board experience alongside a professional background in training and development. A wheelchair user for over 20 years, John combines lived experience with strategic leadership in access and inclusion.

I have worked with and for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities of North Wales for over 25 years. I am a proficient BSL signer and am currently training to become an interpreter.

In my time working for COS, I have introduced projects that have empowered members of our community to access information that enables them to make informed decisions rather than be reliant on family or professionals to make them.

I am a keen traveller (as suggested by my choice of photo) and am looking forward to exploring more destinations over the next few years with Canada and New Zealand in my sights.

I came to advocacy in 2017 after previously working for the local authority as I wanted to help represent people from marignalised communities that were experiencing barriers in day to day life. I have a dynamic disability which affects my mobility; I also experience chronic pain, depression and I am a medical cannabis patient. I am also awaiting assessment for neurodivergence and am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am new to conducting Access Surveys but it has always been something I have wanted to get become involved in, as access barriers are something I experience in my day to day life which often prevent me from living my life the way I want. I have studied BSL up to Level 3 and previously played wheelchair basketball for North Wales.

How best to work with me: I describe myself as Disabled, always with a capital D, and am happy for others to refer to me in this way. I use a variety of mobility aids including wheelchairs and therefore require wheelchair access and a disabled toilet wherever possible. Please provide clear information and direction with context as much as possible, I will ask for further clarification where needed; please also give me time to process verbal information, I experience brain fog regularly.

I am vision impaired and have been since birth. I am registered as SSI (Severely Sight Impaired) and have useful vision. I am blind in one eye and short sighted in the other. I have worked in the sight loss sector for 12 years both delivering services and now managing services. I encounter accessibility barriers on a daily basis both digital barriers and when visiting venues. I understand the frustrations and challenges but also have a knowledge of adjustments and adaptions that can make our society inclusive for vision impaired people. I was twice part of a larger team to conduct accessibility surveys of National Trust sites but focussed only on VI related barriers.

How best to work with me: Here are just a few things that will really help me

- All digital communications/documents - size 18, Arial

- All paper communication – size 24, Arial

- If there are images please describe this as much as possible

- Please use colour contrast colour schemes

I don’t recognise faces so it is really useful if you introduce yourself when I see you each time

I have been a disabled advocate and campaigner since a road traffic accident in 1995 after which I became a wheelchair user.

In 1996 I worked closely with case officers and the Disability Rights Commission providing support to disabled people challenging organisations after experiencing discrimination. After forming the voluntary organisation, Denbighshire Access Group in 1998 and working with council planning officers and national organisations, for many years, we were able to influence and provide guidance and Disability Equality Training to architects, Transport for Wales, businesses large and small including Welsh Government, NHS, Local Authorities, schools, universities and the Voluntary Sector.

For 12 years I was the local authority Access and Equality Officer where I implemented a number of policies and documents including their first Strategic Equality Plan, Equality Impact Assessment Procedure, Supplementary Planning Guidance Access for All, Consultation and Engagement procedure and a number of policies and advisory documents. I’d like to think I’ve encouraged positive change by having a voice on a number of committees, partnership boards and stakeholder groups over the last 30 years. I believe in the ethos of ‘Nothing About Us without Us’ and follow the Social Model of Disability.

Disability Rights have come a long way but even with legislation there is still more to do to see genuine equality and inclusivity in Government and our communities – so I continue to campaign, educate and challenge for change.

Previously a Changing Places campaigner whilst leading a charity made to create an accessible play area, Cathy is enthusiastic about making places as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. Drawing on her own sensory needs as well as her awareness of spatial access requirements, she is delighted to be able to work with the Panel.