Disability champions applauded

Individuals and companies are recognised for contributions

THE People of the Year Awards recognise and honour individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution towards the furtherance of the human rights of disabled people. Organised by the charity, RADAR, they were held in London. Six individuals and four organisations - Channel 4, B&Q, Hull Trains and Lloyds TSB - received trophies.

Role of honour

LORNA REITH - Achievement in the Furtherance of Human Rights of Disabled People in the UK Award.
This award recognises the commitment and contribution to the development of human and civil rights of disabled people nationally. It is given to an individual who has made a significant and effective contribution to a better understanding of disability rights issues in the UK and significant and diligent work on a particularly important issue or campaign during the last year.
   The judges felt that Lorna Reith has made an outstanding contribution on disability issues and has had an enormous effect on the lives of many disabled people.
   She is often controversial but has had an immeasurable impact during the course of her career. Lorna was Chief Executive Officer of the Disability Alliance from 1992 to 2006.
   While at the Alliance, she chaired the Social Security Consortium, was a leading member of the Disability Benefits Consortium and chair of its Policy Committee, and a member of the Beginnings Advisory Group.

information service for people with hearing or visual impairments. Dean started the service when he realised that there was no easy way to find information on the small amounts of accessible films and shows.
He also set up a website and email newsletter and, from 2004, the UK film and cinema industries and the RNID and RNIB have sponsored his service.

TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY by Channel 4 - Best Portrayal of the Lives or Viewpoints of Disabled People in Programmes of Factual Content on Television.
The award is given to a programme that has best portrayed the lives or viewpoints of disabled people on television.
The winner has demonstrated commitment to conveying an accurate and realistic portrayal of disabled people in the mainstream media.

B&Q plc - Enhanced Accessibility Award: Providing Excellent Customer Service for Disabled People.
This award is open to organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the

John Hutton MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, presents Lorna Reith with her award.

Richard Boyd

RICHARD BOYD - Judges' Award for Achievement by a RADAR member.
RADAR has a diverse group of member organisations, from large national charities to local disability organisations.
This award celebrates the commitment of an individual or organisation to promoting the human and civil rights of disabled people. It recognises the campaigns that have inspired change and the provision of support to individuals or groups who would otherwise have denied access to information and advice on their rights and welfare.
Richard Boyd has been the CEO of Disability Essex since 2000 and is responsible for a number of schemes and services for disabled people. The judges noted that Richard

has done a great deal in a short period of time on sustainable and high impact initiatives.

DEAN RHODES BRANDON - Young Person's Award for Fresh Impact on the Human Rights of Young People.
RADAR understands the necessity of supporting and encouraging the work of the next generation of campaigners. This award is made to a disabled person under 30 years of age who has made a significant impact on the human rights of young disabled people.
In 2000, at the age of nine, Dean founded yourlocalcinema.com, a cinema listings and

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