The Scope Disability Equality Awards took place on Thursday 25 April 2024 at the Kia Oval in London and proved again, what an incredible privilege it is to be part of the disability community. 

The Scope Disability Equality Awards aren’t like other awards. The accepted tradition is that award ceremonies are, bluntly, rather pale, male and stale, the Scope Awards, on the other hand, are a luminous riot of vibrant colour, with an energy all their own and an undimming positivity.

It was a great privilege for Able Magazine to have been part of only the second Scope Awards, with editor, Tom Jamison, reprising his role as a judge and presenter. 

The awards recognise amazing organisations and individuals who campaign for disability equality, change attitudes and bring about social change. In this sense, the adage that everyone nominated really is a winner couldn’t be any more accurate. Here was a room full of extraordinary talent. The energy from the start was incredible. 

The first ingredient towards a great awards ceremony is to have an amazing host. For the second year running, multiple Paralympic champion, Kadeena Cox, gave her very best performance – and without a pair of trainers or bicycle in sight! 

Among the most popular winners of the evening were the stars and crew of BBC TV’s Ralph and Katie, a show that has helped change perceptions about disability. Not only were the lead roles played by disabled actors (Leon Harrop and Sarah Gordy) but behind the scenes, six deaf, disabled, neurodiverse and autistic trainees worked across the project. Unsurprisingly, the show won both Inclusive Workplace and Media Moment awards, with each announcement met with fist-pumping joy from Leon Harrop and touching speeches from the stage. 

Worth noting is that Scope selected judges from across the disability spectrum, as well as just how well curated the whole awards ceremony was. Every nomination and every winner deserved their moment and the accessible environment and thought behind every aspect of the event served to enrich everyone’s experience.

Winners at the Scope Disability Equality Awards were:

Influencer – Shelby Lynch

Campaign – Apple ‘The Greatest’

Community Group – Happy Smiles Training CIC

Inclusive Workplace – Ralph & Katie production team / ITV Studios

Journalist – Lottie Jackson

Role Model – Dr Amo Raju OBE DL

Accessible Product – LEGO Braille Bricks

Media Moment – Ralph & Katie

Purple Pioneer – Zahari Brimacombe

Visit: www.scope.org.uk