Daniel Randall-Nason is Speaking Up

Most people shy away from a podium – not Daniel. If at times he feels anxious presenting, he certainly does not show it.

As part of his work with the Involvement Matters Team and Stay Up Late, Daniel travels across the country at events and conferences advocating for the rights and choices of adults with a learning disability and autistic people.

At a time where people with learning disabilities and autistic people are often denied a platform, Daniel seizes with both hands the opportunities he gets to speak up on behalf of people like him.

Stay Up Late

Stay Up Late is a campaign, of which Daniel is a founding member, which calls for flexible support systems to allow people with learning disabilities and autistic people to have fun, active social lives.

On any given night across the UK, the times at which revellers decide to go home are mostly dictated by the opening hours of the venue in which they choose to unwind. This is a reality that does not exist for many people with learning disabilities and autism, whose curfews may instead be determined by the diary of their support workers.

As Daniel asks, “Why can’t we stay up late?” It is a question which needs addressing and one which Daniel spoke on during an appearance on BBC’s ‘The One Show’ earlier this year, a testament to the great work Daniel and the Stay Up Late team are doing.

“Daniel completely embraces the work of our charity and is a wonderful advocate for other people with learning disabilities through his campaigning work” – Paul Richards, CEO at Stay Up Late

Involvement Matters

Daniel’s work as part of the Involvement Matters Team also keeps him very busy.

The Involvement Matters Team are East Sussex County Council’s reference group for adults with a learning disability, members of the East Sussex Learning Disability Partnership Board. The team helps to promote the rights, representation and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism, and to improve the way society and other professional services interact with them. Daniel is passionate about this issue, a passion he shows for all his advocacy work, and has spoken to a wide range of audiences to campaign for change.

Daniel is a role model for any person who wants to make a difference in the world. Having some mobility issues and using walking aids as a result, he can often face challenges trying to get around on public transport. However, he is clued up on all his rights in a way that he hopes more people will become, particularly those whose jobs may mean they interact with people with learning disabilities and autism. This always ensures Daniel receives the support and assistance that he needs to get from place to place, though he knows too well that there are big improvements needed to make things easier and more accessible for people in his position.

The strength of Daniel’s advocacy also lies in his great capacity for teamwork. If ever he feels in doubt or insecure about a speech or presentation, Daniel draws on the peer support and reassurance of his colleagues within the Involvement Matters Team and Stay Up Late. Likewise, any time a peer shows uncertainty or insecurity about a task, Daniel is the first to offer his support. For those that know Daniel, who regularly witness the help and assistance he offers his teammates, this is just a further illustration of his compassionate nature.

There is no doubt that Daniel will continue to use his voice to effect change and make sure that he is a role model and advocate for those without a voice.

“Daniel is a strong advocate and has a good sense of fairness and social justice along with a warm and caring nature making him an altogether great human being!” – Jeanette Gallivan-Young, Involvement Matters Team facilitator