This year’s Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list has been announced and includes Amelia Peckham, Co-founder of Yorkshire business Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks.
Recognised for their work as a disability changemaker, Amelia is being celebrated as one of the 100 most influential disabled individuals in the UK and a leader in her field. The awards are publicly nominated and judged by a panel of 25 disabled champions including international business leader Dr Shani Dhanda, chief executive of Paralympics GB, David Clark and Coronation Street actor Cherylee Houston.
Placing fourth overall within the visual arts, fashion and design category, Amelia has been recognised for her impact, innovation, and influence in changing the perceptions and stereotypes of disability.
At just 19 years old, Amelia suffered a quadbike accident when on holiday with her friends. After thinking she had broken her foot, Amelia had no feeling from her waist down, needing immediate surgery to fix what her surgeon described as a ‘smashed meringue’.
Following surgery, Amelia was on her back for six weeks before she could start rehabilitation but found NHS standard walking aids gave her additional injuries, such as back pain and hand blisters.
Just 11 months after her accident, Amelia and her mum started Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks, a walking aids company where people living with a disability can be stylish and practical. The walking aids are designed with moulded handles, shock absorption and no clicking when you walk.
Amelia uses her prominence to raise awareness of the issues facing disabled people, and in particular disabled business founders. She has supported the Lilac Review, a government-led independent review that aims to make the UK the best place for disabled entrepreneurs. Amelia was invited to Downing St to celebrate the launch of the Lilac Review at 10 Downing Street.
As well as speaking out as a disability advocate, Cool Crutches and Walking Sticks has been nominated for several awards, including the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs 2024 where they came in second place.
Speaking about their award Amelia said: “My dream has always been to help anyone who finds themselves in the same shoes I did back in 2005 to adjust, adapt and move forward in a way that’s positive, filled with value, opportunity and most importantly POWER. Today’s news makes me SO proud to be recognised for the work I’ve done to date but MOST importantly the work I will continue to do to inspire the next generation of disabled leaders.
The disabled community is filled with huge talent, knowledge, tenacity, empathy, resilience and undeniable brilliance. Whilst we have come a LONG way since I joined it, we are nowhere near to being on a level playing field with our non disabled counterparts. Including us is key to every single person and business now and in the future and to be part of making that a reality ASAP, is honestly incredible.”
National charity, Shaw Trust, runs the Disability Power 100 to raise the profile of disabled talent and challenge the disability employment gap head-on. Head of Disability Power 100, Alona De Havilland, says: “The Disability Power 100 is all about creating change, it celebrates ambition and achievement, and plays a role in challenging society’s perceptions of disability by recognising the strengths, contributions and successes of 100 disabled individuals each year.”
She continues “We all need role models. People who are pioneers and changemakers. This year we witnessed our Team GB Paralympians rightly celebrated for their elite athleticism, sporting prowess and determination to succeed. The Disability Power 100 celebrates disabled roles models with the same determination, expertise and ambition in all sectors from architecture to construction; finance to healthcare; transport to music. It is a rallying cry to future generations of leaders and a call for employers and society to recognise the talents and skills of disabled people.”
