Sharon became an AoD Trustee in 2019 after becoming Disabled in 2017 with multiple sclerosis. She lives in Hammersmith & Fulham, is married with two children, and holds a BA Hons in Politics & Government (Birkbeck University). Sharon has been a H&F Labour councillor since 2014 and Mayor since May 2025. With nearly 30 years as a senior trade union official campaigning for workers’ rights, she brings experience in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement.
Our People
Meet our talented team, dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of Deaf and Disabled people.
User-LED at every level
We are proud to be truly user-led:
- Board of Trustees: 100% Disabled people with lived experience
- Senior Management Team: 100% Disabled people with lived experience
- Leadership Team: 54% Disabled people with lived experience
- Whole staff team: 53% Disabled people
This is who we are: a team shaped by lived experience, empathy, and determination. Our people are not only passionate professionals but also role models of independence, inclusion, and empowerment.
Our Principles
Our constitution embeds the Social Model of disability and the principle of “Nothing about us, without us.” We also promote the 12 pillars of Independent Living, supporting Disabled people to have real choice and control over their lives.
Leadership in action
At Action on Disability, leadership by Disabled people with lived experience is not symbolic; it is the engine of our mission. Disabled people lead, govern, and deliver our work. Decisions are informed by direct understanding of the barriers our community faces. Services are shaped by real-world insight, not assumptions. Lived experience doesn’t just guide our work. It drives meaningful change.
Co-Production at the core
We co-produce and co-design all our services with local Disabled people. This is embedded in our daily practice and policies. We believe people are disabled by societal barriers, so our work focuses on tackling those barriers at every level.
Looking ahead
In our 2026–2031 strategy, two of our four objectives reflect this commitment:
- Grow Disabled leaders of social change by challenging systemic barriers, promoting the rights of Disabled people, and influencing local and national policy and practice.
- Lead by example by showing the strengths and impact of Disabled leadership through our work as an effective, Disabled people-led organisation.

Board of Trustees
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Kate has lived with chronic pain and limited mobility since age 13, shaping her commitment to supporting others. She works in health information and advocacy, contributes to local co-production initiatives, and received the Freedom of the Borough of H&F in 2024. Kate brings insight, determination, and a focus on accessibility to AoD’s governance.
Born in Fulham, Tom became a Trustee in 2024. He is autistic and diabetic, actively raising awareness and improving access for Disabled people. Tom participates in housing initiatives and local projects for older adults, bringing lived experience and practical insight to our Board.
Mustafa lives in Kensington & Chelsea and has worked as an IT teacher, interpreter, and volunteer supporting Disabled refugees. Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Syncope, he combines personal experience and professional expertise to advocate for inclusion. Mustafa enjoys yoga and photography in his free time.
Naomi has lived and worked in H&F for over 20 years. A parent of neurodiverse children, she uses AoD’s services and brings this perspective to her work. She has a BSc in Anthropology (UCL) and MSc in Social Psychology (LSE) and works as a Research & Insight Consultant, helping ensure communications and services are accessible, inclusive, and informed by lived experience.
Ashley, visually impaired, joined AoD in 2023 and became a Trustee in 2025. He has experience in international sports, trade union advocacy, and social care, and has fundraised £50,000 for a national children’s charity. Ashley brings practical expertise and lived experience to support Disabled-led initiatives.
Our Staff Team
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John began volunteering in the 1990s and has spent 20+ years in AoD’s Youth Service. He now manages the Youth Service, Welfare Benefits Service, Direct Payments Support Service, and Our Place community hub. John is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, supports new project development, and contributes to fundraising. A former LBHF resident, he is a passionate advocate for young Disabled people and enjoys following QPR.
Mary Ann joined in 2025 as the Project Delivery Officer for Our Place. With past experience of working on various community projects in London, she is passionate about co-producing inclusive accessible spaces. She also has lived experience of AoD’s services from over the years.
Brittany joined AoD on the 17th of August 2021 as the Youth Service Project Coordinator. Originally, she’s from Pennsylvania in the USA. After university, she worked as a Behavioural Therapist working with children and young people with disabilities. In her free time she likes to paint and play Dungeons and Dragons.
David has led AoD since March 2017. Born Deaf, his first language is British Sign Language (BSL). He was the first Deaf BSL-user elected as a Borough Councillor and has stood for Parliament. With 25+ years of senior management experience, an MBA, and as co-founder of the Liberal Democrat Disability Association, he also serves on the European Union of the Deaf. David brings executive expertise, advocacy, and lived experience to guide AoD’s mission to empower Disabled people and remove societal barriers.
Doreen volunteered with our Welfare Benefits department in 2005 and became a staff member in 2007 to develop services for parents and carers of ill and Disabled children under 18. She continues to lead the team and enjoys the gym and spending time with family.
Louis is a Supported Employment Coordinator primarily focused on the Hammersmith and Fulham side of the Supported Internship programme. In addition to his role, Louis also contributes to creating promotional videos for the Supported Internship programme and the wider employment network. Some of his work is featured on the Hammersmith and Fulham website and the Action on Disability homepage.
Bron joined as a freelance Finance Assistant in June 2024. She previously worked as a part-time Teaching Assistant supporting Deaf children while caring for her son, who has CHARGE Syndrome, and has also been a finance officer in the private sector. Bron enjoys cycling, countryside walks, and community activism.
Anika Hussain
Supported Employment Coordinator
Anika joined as a Job Coach in 2022 and stepped into her current role in 2023. She supports Disabled young people develop skills and confidence to thrive in the workplace and supports interns into paid employment. She enjoys seeing Disabled people flourish and gain independence.
Tamara has been part of our Youth Service since 2012. She holds a Master’s in Anthropology of Childhood, Youth & Education and oversees delivery of all youth programmes. As Safeguarding Lead, she ensures safe, inclusive spaces and empowers young people’s voices in shaping services.
Aileen has over 10 years’ experience in advice work and specialises in welfare benefits. Before joining AoD, she worked with Hammersmith & Fulham Citizens Advice, helping people access the support they are entitled to.
Rik is the welcoming face at reception and supports teams across the organisation. He joined in 2024 with a degree in Politics & International Relations and experience in refugee centres and museums. Rik enjoys board games, tinkering with retro electronics, and cheering for the Denver Nuggets.
Charlie is a Disabled People’s Housing Campaigner officer with a Master’s degree in Human Rights. She’s passionate about challenging the barriers Disabled people face in accessing safe, affordable, and accessible housing through campaigning. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, cooking, and swimming.
Rabie Kuyateh
Lead Supported Employment Coordinator
Rabie is a dedicated professional with a strong background in supporting the development of children and young people. She holds a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care and Children’s Development, as well as a degree in Early Years Education. Rabie began her journey at AoD in 2021 as a Supported Employment Coordinator and has since progressed to become the Lead SEC for the Supported Internship programme.
Sam Thompson
Senior Youth Worker
Sam has worked with Action on Disability (AOD) for several years, starting as a part-time youth worker and facilitator. Now a full-time Youth Coordinator, he helps register new members and supports the planning and delivery of term-time and holiday programs. Beyond AOD, Sam is a passionate actor and writer who creates social media content and collaborates with other creatives.
Ellie joined in October 2024 as maternity cover. She holds a First-Class degree in Professional Dance & Musical Theatre and works in marketing alongside performing. Ellie enjoys live music, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Charlie is a Disabled People’s Housing Campaigner officer with a Master’s degree in Human Rights. She’s passionate about challenging the barriers Disabled people face in accessing safe, affordable, and accessible housing through campaigning. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, cooking, and swimming.
Justin
Welfare Benefits volunteer
Justin started volunteering with the Welfare Benefits Project back when Action on Disability (nee HAFAD) was based at Greswell Street. He mainly operated with Tom Kenny on adult benefit cases, but also with Doreen Hilton on children’s cases, helping and supporting many benefit claimants. As the Welfare Benefits Project faces more changes and new challenges, he continues to support a service needed by so many in the borough.
Louisa has been part of our Employment Service since 2018, supporting Disabled people throughout their employment journey. She builds strong employer relationships, trains and employs In-Work Support Workers, and collaborates with other Disabled People’s Organisations to promote inclusive employment. Louisa is passionate about the Social Model of Disability and removing workplace barriers.
Rita joined in 2023 as a Job Coach and became an Independent Living Advisor in 2025. With experience in humanitarian and development roles in Nigeria and the UK, she is a passionate advocate for social inclusion and human rights education. She enjoys volunteering, reading, and being outdoors.
Neil joined Action on Disability in 2023, starting as a Job Coach before progressing to the role of Supported Employment Coordinator on the RBKC Supported Internship program. Neil supports young adults between 16-24 years of age to develop their employability skills on their journey from the world of education to the world of work.
Franklen joined us in 2022 as an Independent Living Advisor, moving to Interim Lead in 2024 and Service Lead in 2025. Originally from Hong Kong, he has a background in social work, policy research, and sociology (PhD, University of Sheffield). Franklen combines academic insight and practical experience to support Disabled people in living independently. He loves cycling and cooking for his family.
James joined in 2022 after a degree in Classics and started as a Job Coach before his current role in 2024. He supports internship graduates into paid employment, ensures Reasonable Adjustments are in place, and runs weekly employment workshops. Outside work, he enjoys music, painting, and darts.
Join us in ensuring Deaf and Disabled people can enjoy greater independence, control, and choice in their lives.

Our Impact
We create real change by removing barriers, strengthening rights, and supporting Disabled people to live with independence, choice and control.
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Our Vision Statement
A world where Disabled people have full equality, independence and inclusion, with barriers removed and rights respected in every part of life.
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Our History
For over 45 years, AoD has been led by Disabled people, challenging inequality and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
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Our People
Our Trustees, staff, volunteers and members are proudly led by Disabled people, bringing lived experience and expertise to everything we do.
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Our Five-Year Plan
Our plan sets out how we will strengthen rights, expand services, influence change and embed co-production across all our work.
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Annual Reports and Accounts
Read our annual reports to see our achievements, financial transparency, and the difference we make alongside Disabled people each year.
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Support Our Work
Help strengthen our services, rights work and community programmes by supporting AoD through donations, fundraising, membership or partnerships.
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