Meet our spokespeople

Mark has more than 30 years’ experience in advocating for people with learning disabilities and autism, which he has lived experience of. He is currently Advocacy Lead for Dimensions UK, where he regularly speaks publicly about disability hate crime and is an advocate for people with learning disabilities and autism being treated equally. Prior to joining Dimensions UK, he worked for Values into Action, where he was responsible for developing the organisation’s policy around hate crime, human rights and individual budgets. In 2019 Mark was awarded an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Kent. In 2020 Mark received his MBE for his services to people with learning disabilities and autism. Mark is a Manchester United superfan and loves to garden and play Playstation in his spare time. He is also well known to enjoy a glass of Prosecco.

Ismail Kaji is Mencap’s Parliamentary & Government Engagement Officer & Spokesperson on Learning disability. He is passionate about making change and speaking to people like the government departments and charity sector and people with learning disability. He lives in Walthamstow with his family, and has his own home. Ismail has a good community of people where he always help others.

James has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and is a full time wheelchair user. He is classed Profound and multiple learning disabled (PMLD) and is non-verbal but uses eye gaze to communicate. Since 18, with reasonable adjustments, he has taken up his democratic right to cast his vote. He is one of Dimensions Learning Disability and Autism Leaders and he is an Electoral Observer.

Lxx is Project Manager for My Vote My Voice. They focus on making sure we work strategically to deepen democratic participation and leading delivery of the Democracy Champions programme.

Lxx joined MVMV because they want to live in a world where everyone has a say in how the world around them works.

Hannah Molloy is a neurodivergent young person. She works with United Response as an autism consultant, where she gets to be involved in different projects advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and those who are autistic. Hannah enjoys working on My Vote My Voice bringing together organisations with one similar goal in mind – making voting more accessible for those with disabilities! In her spare time she loves to watch musicals and be out in nature.

Alex has a learning disability and is supported by United Response. He is passionate about voting and people with a learning disability having their voice heard.

Ali is Director of Engagement and Development at United Response. She is a regular spokesperson on a wide range of issues such as accessible voting and democracy, disability hate crime, and social care.

Paula works with Dr Mark Brookes MBE and leads the Dimensions Public Affairs Team. She raises the voice of people with learning disabilities and/or autism on key issues such as care and support, health and employment and democratic participation, so policy makers consider their interests as part of the decision making process.

Shiu-Ming Man is a self-advocate living with cerebral atrophy. He has gained valuable experience working with people with additional needs in the London Borough of Richmond. His experience varies from being a volunteer youth worker, Vice Chair of the Richmond Youth Council and helping developing Peer group projects at disability charity Richmond AID. Now he has set up a politics group and employment support and advise group for people with additional needs. He has been to the house of parliament and the cabinet office to talk about easy read as well. He is also a self advocate for disabilities and mental health and are co-trainer for Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training for choice support and is a spokesperson for the My Vote My Voice campaign. He is also a Liverpool fan and play games on his PC in his free time.

Jaye is Head of Student Voice at Undeb Aberystwyth. They are passionate about community organising and building a fairer society.

Jaye says: “To build the power of disabled people in society, it is important that disabled people make themselves heard: be that on the streets or at the ballot box. My Vote, My Voice are phenomenal at championing for a Disability inclusive Democracy. I am keen to utilise my networks and expertise to support this work.”

Sapphire (far right in the photo above) is Senior Strategic Communications Manager at United Response. Sapphire says: “I’ve always been passionate about getting everyone involved in voting, I remember volunteering at a local election polling station when I was 16 just to learn more about how it all worked. It felt so far away from me at the time and for the likes of me. I never want anyone to feel that way, that they are excluded simply for not having an opportunity to get involved or language and accessibility being a barrier.

Max is the Senior Fundraising and Impact Manager for United Response and is a passionate member of the Steering Group for the My Vote My Voice Campaign. Max enjoys working with people with lived experience and ensuring what we do as a campaign meets their needs and is an authentic voice in the democratic space.

Sarah is the Accessible Communications Lead for United Response. Sarah says “I’m autistic with ADHD and passionate about inclusion and accessibility for all. I’m proud to have been part of MVMV from the beginning, bringing in Dimensions previous voting campaign. I love to read, have too many pets and spend time with wonderful people.”