We are proud to have a staff team who are highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of disability, equality and policy.

 

We have a wide range of skills and experience within our Board of Directors. At present we have a Lawyer, Health Professionals and individuals with a wealth of disability equality knowledge. All Directors have considerable knowledge both professionally and in life experience which provides the steering of the organisation.

Our Team

Morven Brooks, Chief Executive Officer

Morven works with the team to ensure that SDEF is effective in its aims to promote equality and to reduce barriers to Independent Living. Responsible for the strategic development of the organisation, Morven continues to advance the influence and impact of SDEF and its stakeholders.

 

 

 

 

Ian Buchanan, Access Engagement Officer

Ian is our Access Engagement Officer and it is his role to support, develop and promote the Access Panel Network. Ian has recently joined us from ENABLE Scotland and brings with him a genuine passion and desire to improve access to equality for disabled people in Scotland.

 

 

 

 

Maeve Bain, Senior Office Administrator

Maeve is responsible for the administration of our finances, keeping us right on book-keeping and payments, as well as supporting in other areas such as minute-taking and regular Board related duties. Maeve’s voice will usually be the one which greets you when you call us!

 

 

 

 

James Davidson – Online Access Worker

James assists the Access Engagement Officer (AEO) in the implementation of Section 10 Adult Care and Support Business Plan, with specific regard to the development of online content. As part of the Access Team, James ensures that information on equality, access and inclusion is, where appropriate, published on the corresponding website.

 

 

 

 

Maureen Bennison, SDEF Administrator

Maureen provides administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer and the Equality Unit funded side to SDEF. She also provides support for events held by SDEF and Access Panels. Maureen is also working to increase membership and sponsorship, as well as creating Easy Read documents and administering consultations for Scottish and UK Governments.

 

 

Our Directors

Jackie Maceira

Hi, I am known as Jackie and am 60 years young. I am a wheelchair user as I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Despite this I have led a very full and eventful life. I have been married to Margaret (who also has a disability as she contracted polio at 10 months). We have two daughters, Kirsty and Laura and also two granddaughters, Brooke and Nieve (gender balance has never been an issue in our house - I wonder why).

 

Alex Thorburn

I have been an office-bearer of Dumfries & Galloway Disability Action Panel since its formation and I have been working both with and for disabled people for over 20 years. I am a member of the SNAP (Scottish National Action Plan) Health and Social Care Action Group and the SNAP Adequate Standard of Living Reference Group.

 

Peter McDade

I have worked in Public Service most of my life. This included Health Board, Strathclyde region, Local Authority and the Civil Service. I worked within an Adult Training Centre for people with Learning Disabilities for 10 years and also a centre for people with Physical Disabilities. Since early retirement, due to disability, I studied for a BSc in Computer Networking and also Microsoft Subjects (MCP).
I have been involved in voluntary organisations including DMUK, Access Panel, SDEF, Public Partnership Forum, Health Board for users and carers and the Human Rights Consortium. I am very passionate about Equality and Independent Living. No matter who people are, we are all entitles to the same lifestyle.

 

Pat McGuigan

Hi my name is Patrick McGuigan, I am 62 years old, I have sight problems, walk with crutches and was also a wheelchair user. As I was born with Cerebral Palsy I have been involved with many organisations over the years: Strathclyde Forum on Disability, Castlemilk Forum on Disability, RNIB, NFB, SDEF, SATA and SRAF.

 

Hope Craig

I graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a First class LL.B (Hons). I have recently completed a legal traineeship and also sit as a member of the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland. My desire to become a director of SDEF stems from both personal and professional experiences of disability. I look forward to this new challenge and to working with the rest of the board to help further the good work of the SDEF.

 

Sam Hunter

I am currently the Service User Representative for Guide Dogs Glasgow Mobility Team, supporting guide dog owners and service users in the West of Scotland. I have held this voluntary post in all its’ various guises for the last 25 years, at both Local and National levels, during which time I have gained a great deal of invaluable experience and skills and still retain my passion and commitment in supporting Guide Dogs key messages and representing the views and interests of its’ Clients/ Service Users. I joined North Lanarkshire Access Panel in 2012, becoming Interim Chair in June of this year, gaining valuable experience with the Access Panel and also the training provided by SDEF. I am also currently a Trustee of SITE, a “DPULO” charity based in Glasgow, providing support in IT and Awareness training for the visually impaired, their supporters and employers.
Although as a visually impaired guide dog owner, my primary concerns are for that of the visually impaired, I am very much open to the bigger picture of Access for All, whether it be services, communications or technology.