Hazel is honoured for a great sense of duty in the community

Dr Hazel McFarlane has been awarded a place on the Shaw Trust’s top 100 Power List of the most influential disabled people in the UK.

Hazel, daughter of former South Ayrshire Councillor Nan, was nominated for this major honour by her local MP, Dr Philippa Whitford. The House of Lords was the venue for her presentation and Hazel was honoured to be recognised for all the good work she has been involved in.

Before leaving to accept her award Hazel said: “I’m very proud to be included in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list for 2019.

“It is a huge compliment to have my professional and personal contribution to effecting positive change with and on behalf of sensory impaired people recognised and acknowledged in this way. This is a real privilege to be identified as one of the top 100 people in the UK. I must thank Dr Whitford who nominated me for the award.

“She has been a great inspiration for me with her constant support for people with disabilities. My job is making services in society more accessible to people with both sight and hearing loss.”

Hazel, sensory policy and implementation officer, has combined her tenacity with her own lived experience to consistently campaign for change in society. Previously the sensory lead officer across North Lanarkshire, she moved to South Ayrshire Council to take up the post of sensory policy and implementation officer across Ayrshire and Arran. In both posts, she has been working on implementing the Scottish Government‘s See Hear Strategic Framework for meeting the needs of sensory impaired people in Scotland across statutory, voluntary, independent and health sectors.

Hazel’s fixed term post in South Ayrshire Council is coming to an end. However the Troon woman is already looking ahead to the future. She is now scoping out new opportunities and challenges as she aims to continue the great work she has been doing to help people who are sensory impaired.