From Silent Beginnings to National Influence: Dr Beth Moulam Recognised as Disability Changemaker
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent
Dr Beth Moulam of York was recently nominated in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list. At the awards, she was named the Number 1 Influencer in the Community and Grassroots Advocate category and placed 10th on the overall list.
Recognised for her work as a disability changemaker, Paralympian, and University of York postgraduate student, Beth Moulam is being celebrated as one of the 100 most influential disabled individuals in the UK—and a leader in her field—for the second year running.
The awards are publicly nominated and judged by a panel of 25 disabled champions, including international business leader Dr Shani Dhanda, Chief Executive of Paralympics GB David Clark, and Coronation Street actor Cherylee Houston.
Beth has been recognised for her impact, innovation, and influence in changing perceptions and challenging stereotypes of disability.
She topped the list in the Community and Grassroots Advocates category for her work raising awareness of people with little or no speech who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to express their needs, thoughts, feelings, and wishes.
Beth works tirelessly to empower others to fulfil their communication potential and is both a Patron of 1Voice and a Trustee of Communication Matters.
She is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, leads workshops, delivers training on AAC, inclusion, and leadership, and also mentors other AAC users.
Speaking about the award, Beth said:
“I feel both privileged and humbled to receive this award for doing something I am passionate about. Ever since I got my own communication device 26 years ago, at the age of four, I have wanted to empower others of all ages with little or no speech to be heard, listened to, and understood.
This is even more special after my mainstream secondary school said I was unlikely to achieve any qualifications and couldn’t do sport—yet here I am doing a Master’s in Research and having represented my nation at the Paralympics in boccia. When we dream big, work hard, and stay resilient, we can all fulfil our own potential.”
The national charity Shaw Trust runs the Disability Power 100 to raise the profile of disabled talent and to challenge the disability employment gap head-on.
Alona De Havilland, Head of Disability Power 100, said:
“The Disability Power 100 is all about creating change. It celebrates ambition and achievement, and plays a vital role in challenging society’s perceptions of disability by recognising the strengths, contributions, and successes of 100 disabled individuals each year.”
Beth added:
“We all need role models—people who are pioneers and changemakers. This year we saw our Team GB Paralympians rightly celebrated for their elite athleticism, sporting prowess, and determination to succeed.
The Disability Power 100 celebrates disabled role models with the same determination, expertise, and ambition in all sectors—from architecture to construction; finance to healthcare; transport to music. It is a rallying cry to future generations of leaders, and a call for employers and society to recognise the talents and skills of disabled people.”
Beth is 30 years old and attended both mainstream and special schools in the south of England.
She uses AAC to communicate, including eye-gaze technology for spontaneous conversation and an iPad for presentations. Beth has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids. Outside her home, she uses a powerchair.
Contact: Beth Moulam
www.bethmoulam.com. Email: bethmoulam@aol.com
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