Gina Patel is a south Asian female equality advocate and has dedicated more than 13 years of her life promoting the rights of disabled people from all backgrounds personally and professionally.
Her own experience of growing up and attending a disability segregated service has shaped her motivation and determination to accomplish thus far, among others.
Her professional career began with an advocacy organisation where she spoke out on behalf of individuals with disabilities on a local, regional, and national level. She also served on the West Midlands Young Combined Authority as an inaugural board member. At TEDxWolverhampton 2021, she gave a talk titled ”Disability and Ambitions,” focusing on the topic of disability segregation, her personal experience during the pandemic, and her career path.
She has supported underrepresented groups by appearing in local and national media, I.e. GB News, for her campaign #CPEverydayLife, which went viral and achieved 100,000 social media impressions. She also presented a petition letter on the steps of 10 Downing Street for Changing Places Awareness Day, raising awareness of the facilities available for all disabled people. During Loneliness Awareness Week, she was featured in the Daily Mirror, drawing attention and impact to her personal experience of loneliness.
She is currently proudly serving as trustee of a learning disability advocacy organisation as well as co-chair of a disability staff network. She also hosts the podcast ”Saying It As It Is,” which promotes awareness of all underrepresented groups and currently available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.