Vikki Walton-Cole – Co-chair

My name is Vikki, my pronouns are she/her/hers and I identify as a queer disabled woman. Whilst I have only identified as disabled since becoming physically disabled in 2018 and then a wheelchair user, I realise I have been disabled much longer. I am also a carer for my wife, as she is for me. I would describe myself as an activist who wants to see society become accessible and inclusive to disabled people.

As a working disabled person I am passionate about disabled people’s access to employment and support once at work and have demonstrated this through founding and chairing a disabled employees network. I am keen to see employers provide equal opportunities and reasonable adjustments to disabled people. As a queer person, I’m also keen that disabled LGBTQ+ people are included in the community through events and venues becoming accessible.

I hope that my being a director of Surrey Coalition will enable me to continue to campaign for better accessibility and inclusion for disabled people across Surrey and that coproduction is something that becomes integral to services and companies across the county and beyond.