An interview with our Co-Convenor, Kim Dams

Q) As Co-Convenors of Inclusion Scotland, what made you take on this role?

I am an experienced leader and stepping up seemed like the right thing to do. Inclusion Scotland has been going through a period of changes and we have been working hard to turn things around. It became clear that this was too much work for one person alone to handle, so we agreed to share the leadership responsibility as Co-Convenors. Jim’s and my skills and experiences compliment each other and we work well together as a team.

Q) What lived experience do you bring to this role?

I have a variety of invisible disabilities and health conditions, some started after an accident when I was a child, others developed through illnesses later on. Just like many other disabled people, I have faced disadvantages, inequality, stigma, a lack of understanding or empathy towards my needs, up to straight discrimination. I have also employed other disabled people and fought for their rights and reasonable adjustments.

Q) What is your current vision for Inclusion Scotland and how do you intend to achieve it?

My ideal would be a world where Inclusion Scotland isn’t needed anymore. Sadly, this is a wish for the very distant future, as we are still very far away from disabled people living completely equal lives. My current vision for Inclusion Scotland is to be at the forefront of fighting for disabled people’s human and civic rights. To achieve this, we have to work with the Scottish Government, to inform, but also to challenge them and hold them to account. We also have to work with and on behalf of our members, individuals as well as other DPOs and also with our allies, to create a society that is becoming more and more inclusive and equal. 

Q) What are the most important priorities for you as Co-Convenors over the next few years?

Leading the organisation into the next phase of this transformational period we are currently in, strengthening the governance and resilience of the board and working closely with our CEO and staff team, to support the ongoing operational changes. Creating strategies based upon our values and goals and striving towards long-term sustainability that allows us to improve the rights and lives of disabled people across Scotland. 

Q) What are the biggest challenges facing disabled people in Scotland currently, and how are you using your roles to address them?

There are so many challenges, it is hard to name them all. One of the biggest currently is poverty and the cost-of-living crisis, which are disproportionally affecting disabled people. Closely tied to this is the ongoing harassment of disabled people who are trapped in a benefit system built to punish, not to support. Policies, that are not fit for purpose or have been created without input of lived expertise. As someone living in a rural area, I am also keen to address intersectionality and how different things can affect people differently. Then we have ongoing structural issues such as accessibility, inclusion, and a lack of opportunities to live full lives. All of our work at Inclusion Scotland tries to address one or more of the challenges disabled people face and remove barriers or offer support, and give people with lived experiences and expertise a voice and direct opportunity to influence policy making.

Q) Where do you see Inclusion Scotland in the next 5 years?

In five years time, I see Inclusion Scotland as a strong organisation that is leading the way, improving awareness and policies, making a difference in disabled people’s lives and holding those in power to account, to keep improving things. Nothing about us without us needs to be at the front and centre of everyone’s decision making. Disabled people cannot and should not be ignored or forgotten about.

Q) Why would you encourage other people to join the Board of Inclusion Scotland?

Being a board member for Inclusion Scotland gives you the opportunity to help us achieve our goals and improve disabled people’s lives. It can be frustrating at times how slow progress is, or when things go backwards rather than improve, but the board has the passion to drive things forward and develop strategies beyond just Inclusion Scotland to make a real difference in disabled people’s lives across Scotland.