Voices of the panel – Daniel

Daniel was part of the panel that reviewed and scored applications to the Accessibility Fund, bringing with him his knowledge and experience from years of dealing with physical barriers. We asked him to share what the process was like, what he contributed to the role, and what advice he’d give to others thinking about getting involved.

Why is it important to you that indoor and outdoor spaces are accessible for everyone?

It’s important to me as it’s about allowing everyone an equal chance to enjoy the things non-disabled people often take for granted.  Having barriers not only restricts independence but also reinforces the feelings of being a second-class citizen that many of us feel.  Freedom is important to wellbeing and having that blocked for often no good reason is incredibly disheartening and frustrating.

What experience or knowledge did you bring to the funding panel?

I think I brought a level head, along with years of experience of physical barriers.

How did it feel to be part of the funding decision-making process, and do you feel your views made a difference?

It was good to be able to see the whole process through, from the design phase to seeing how this worked in practice when scoring applications.  It also gave a sense of importance in a way, being partly responsible for deciding where large amounts of money may be spent.  I felt heard, and the way the scoring worked made me feel like my opinions made a difference.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining a future funding panel?
I would say that it is hard work and that you will have to make difficult decisions, but in the end, it’s a rewarding process knowing your voice has made a difference, hopefully helping disabled people throughout the county.

Has being part of the panel changed how you see your role or voice in your community?

Not really, working with Barnwood for years has already opened my eyes to many things, it has encouraged me to stand up and speak out about injustices and given me the confidence to do so.