Applications are assessed by group of people who have personal experience of disability, funding and education issues.
This selection panel usually meets twice a year, in July and September, to select the applicants. Our trustees then agree the panel’s decisions before we write to applicants with the results.
Selection panel members
Our panel members make sure the selection process is always thorough, fair and objective. Some of them have been on the panel since we began in 1981 and all of them are kindly donating their time.
Read a little more about them in the profiles below.
Kelvin Currie
Kelvin worked in telecommunications engineering with BT for over 25 years. Eight years were spent in the age and disability unit gaining a broad knowledge of disabilities, computer technology and equipment for hearing-impaired people. Following that, Kelvin spent over 10 years with the RNID Typetalk outreach service and he is now an independent consultant in disability and telecommunications. Kelvin is qualified to Stage 2 in British Sign Language.
Kelvin explains why he volunteers for us:
‘Being on the selection panel can be a humbling experience as well as a very rewarding one. It never ceases to amaze me how people can still strive for self-improvement despite all the barriers that life puts their way. It gives me faith in the human spirit.’
Ann Darnbrough OBE
Ann writes extensively about disability issues. She directs the National Information Forum (NIF), a charity that she founded in 1981 to help improve the provision of information for disabled and disadvantaged people. Ann compiles and edits Innovations in Information, NIF’s unique magazine on the subject.
Ann believes The Snowdon Award Scheme has a vital role:
‘The International Year of Disabled People was a wonderful spur to new initiatives. One of the most important outcomes was The Snowdon Award Scheme. I was then, as now, deeply involved in trying to improve the flow of information to disabled people. Because of this common cause, I was delighted to join the Selection panel right from the beginning. The scheme was clearly destined to fulfil a vital role in helping disabled students to have the opportunity to study subjects of their choice alongside non-disabled students. I remain as enthusiastic as ever about the need for this scheme.’
Paolo S Dasgupta
Paolo received a Snowdon Award in 2002 which helped towards student transport costs, bringing the student perspective to the panel. He has cerebral palsy, using crutches or a scooter for mobility. He is now pursuing a PhD in regulatory independence at the London School of Economics, where he belongs to the Disability Equality Scheme (DES) steering group, and acts as treasurer for the Students with Disabilities Society.
How does Paolo feel about the scheme?
‘As a full-time PhD student and former award recipient, since joining the selection panel I find the impact of our grants provided cannot be overstated. Indeed, the most desirable recognition of the commitment of panel members is the number and range of disabled applicants pursuing fulfilling lives through qualifications of their choice.’
Hannah James
As a visually impaired student (2000-03), Hannah was a disabled students' representative for the Students' Union both at university and national level. Since then, she worked for Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities for 6 years advising disabled students on the practical and financial implications of studying as a disabled student. She now works for the Royal National Institute of blind People giving advice on a wide range of issues affecting living with sight loss.
Hannah explains why she enjoys working with the scheme:
‘As a selection panel member, it is inspiring to read all the applications and a privilege to be involved with such a great scheme which provides vital support for disabled students in all areas of post-16 education.’
Judith Jesky
Judith is a trustee of the Spinal Injuries Association and until 2008, was Head of Cambridge University Disability Resource Centre. She is a tetraplegic wheelchair user as a result of spinal cord injury and has both personal and professional experience of disability in education.
Richard Lansdown
Richard is an educational and clinical (child) psychologist who worked for more than 30 years at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health. His skills are particularly appropriate for applicants with dyslexia, learning difficulties and autism. Richard is vice chair of the panel and he is also a Trustee.
John Rous Milligan
John was appointed chair of the panel in 2008. He is a teacher of visually impaired students for Norfolk County Council’s Sensory Support Service, focusing on the transition from school to further and higher education or employment. He was also previously lead officer with the Royal National Institute of the Blind. His skills are particularly directed towards visually impaired students.
Why does John admire the scheme?
‘For me, the great thing about the award scheme is that it provides practical, immediate support to enable students to achieve their goals. In addition, the scheme is able to gather evidence to influence Government to improve both funding and support for future disabled learners.
Kate Pilkington
Kate is a freelance support worker/communicator guide working with deaf and deafblind clients in the south-west. She has previously worked supporting individuals (and as an interpreter) in a wide range of organisations including the Disability Rights Commission, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and universities in Bath, Bristol and London. She is fluent in British Sign Language and has a degree in deaf studies from the University of Bristol.
Mike Preece
Mike is currently Emeritus Professor of Child Health and Growth at the Institute of Child Health, University College London and in 2007, retired from the post of Medical Director of Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust. He brings both a broad medical knowledge and a deep understanding of the impact of genetic and growth-related conditions.
Nigel Utting
Nigel joined the Selection Panel in July 2006, bringing with him a great deal of current knowledge and practical experience on issues, equipment and other support requirements for students with disabilities. Having spent many years as a teacher specialising in the area of special needs, he is now a counsellor and consultant and also an assessor of the needs of disabled students for Sussex Regional Access Centre (University of Brighton) and for Central London Assessment Services (University of Westminster).