Alison Cowen
Alison is a freelance writer, researcher and workshop leader on disability issues and a parent champion for self directed support.
A major theme of her work is about empowering families through information and example to see the gifts and abilities of their disabled children and young people and to encourage them to aim high as active citizens in their communities.
In the past Alison has worked in the voluntary and community sector at local, regional and national levels, most recently as information and communications manager at the Family Fund. Her publications include Taking Care, After 16 – what’s new? (Family Fund), Room to Move (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and All Together Better (Norah Fry Research Centre). Her latest publication, Personalised Transition was written with Simon Duffy and Pippa Murray.
Alison’s son Tom, aged 33, is a fair trader, gardener and music gig organiser, and her daughter, Beth who is 26, is a pharmacist. She has recently supported Tom, who has the labels of learning disabilities and autism, to move into his own shared ownership home with a team of personal assistants (PAs) and a live-in house mate using a personal budget. His life has been transformed.
Informed by her personal and family experiences of impairment Alison believes passionately in the right of everyone, regardless of impairment, to live in and play an active part in their local community - with the support they need to make this happen. And that the community itself benefits from the contributions of all its members. She makes no secret of the fact that this is often a struggle and that joining with other like-minded people can make the going easier. In 2005 she set up with others Lives Unlimited, an organisation led by disabled people and family members, that advocates equal chances and ordinary lives for disabled people and their families.
Alison lives in York. She loves pottering in her garden, spending time with family and friends, walking, the Isle of Mull, and – a newfound passion - photography.