2023 Winner
Positive Role Model Award: Age
Described as a ‘force to be reckoned with’, 19-year-old Ciara is a disability activist with a passion for inclusive education. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at just 9 months old, Ciara is autistic and has profound hearing loss with bilateral cochlear implants. After experiencing bullying throughout secondary school, Ciara realised there was a lack of education/awareness around Disability and set about a crusade to ensure that her voice, and the voices of every other disabled individual was heard. Through her vital work with charities such as Cerebral Palsy Scotland and the National Deaf Children’s Society, Ciara found herself leading keynote address’ at the SNP and Labour Conferences, highlighting the importance of deaf awareness. An ambassador for ‘I Will’ Ciara has delivered deaf awareness training and delivered presentations at schools across the UK about the importance of disability awareness within education.