Biography

Ann Macfarlane MBE

Ann Macfarlane, a wheelchair user, is a leading Disability Rights and Equalities Consultant, focusing on health and social care as it affects disabled adults and older people.  She specialises in Independent Living and Direct Payments and has been involved in the Disabled Peoples’ Movement in the UK for many years.  She is a consultant for the National Centre for Independent Living, an ‘Expert by Experience’ for the Commission for Social Care Inspection and Help the Aged and was appointed a Trustee to the Board of the Social Care Institute of Excellence in 2007.  She serves on the Age Reference Group that informs the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights.  She is well recognised in the local community for her voluntary sector commitment and has roles within Disability and Health Organisations.  She is vice-President of Arthritis Care, vice-President of Kingston Centre for Independent Living and is currently chair of a local Patient Participation Group.   

Ann received her MBE in 1992 for her involvement in empowering disabled people, locally, nationally and internationally.  She was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary’s highest honour, by Rotary International for fostering international relationships, and was invited to Japan in 1992 to give a presentation to mark the beginning of their Government’s Social Care Reform Legislation.

Ann is an Elder in her local United Reformed Church and enjoys visiting art galleries, museums and gardens.

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