17 June 2017

Disability Action’s Assistant Director of Employment Services, Laura McCartney has been awarded an MBE for services to disabled people and their families in Northern Ireland.



Laura lives in South Belfast and is married with three children.  She has worked in Disability Action for nearly thirty years overseeing a wide range of employment programmes for disabled people such as Workable NI, Training Support, Employment Support, Job Match and Employment Advocacy. She has ten years’ experience of supporting people with disabilities to resolve employment issues and nearly twenty years’ experience of policy and strategic development in the fields of employment and equality.  Laura is a strong advocate for equality and inclusion so that disabled people get the opportunity to make a positive contribution to our economy and community.

Speaking after the announcement of her MBE, Laura commented,
'I was surprised and delighted to be awarded this honour and regard it as an endorsement of the work of all of our team at Disability Action. For me, there is nothing as important as employment in defining who we are and what our life chances will be. Across Northern Ireland, thousands of disabled people are succeeding in work but there are still real barriers to inclusion. This honour highlights the continuing need to drive forward to secure employment equality and recognise the skills and abilities of disabled people.'

Kevin Doherty, CEO Disability Action congratulated Laura on her MBE,
'We at Disability Action are extremely proud of Laura’s achievement in being honoured with an MBE.  Laura is a truly passionate, committed and dedicated member of staff who continually strives to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights, gaining suitable and sustainable employment. She fully deserves this accolade. I am elated for her and her family and it is a fitting honour for Laura.'