Blind activist’s influence honoured

Dr Hazel McFarlane, a disability researcher and activist with total sight loss, has been listed on the Shaw Trust Power 100 list of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

Dr McFarlane has trained healthcare professionals, co-authored publications, worked with the Scottish government to inform legislation affecting those with a sensory impairment and wrote a proposal adopted by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) that has helped numerous people adjusting to sight loss.

Commenting on her inclusion on the list, she said: ‘I accepted the nomination because I was told that young disabled people read it. I want to encourage young people to set their aspirations high and challenge barriers.’