In a recent discussion, Carly Jones, an advocate for the rights of autistic women and girls, highlighted the need for a more inclusive recognition of disabled individuals within the UK’s honours system. As the recipient of an MBE (Member of the British Empire) herself, Jones has experienced firsthand the societal biases and misconceptions about who deserves such accolades. In her conversation with BBC News, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that the honours system reflects a wider array of achievements, particularly those of marginalized communities, including disabled individuals.
Despite Carly’s achievements and her ongoing role on the honours committee, she recounted incidents illustrating a persistent stigma associated with her award. For instance, during a visit to a doctor’s office, she encountered a situation where her prestigious status was mistaken for a surname, leading to comments that suggested she did not appear to “look like someone who would have one.” This type of sentiment underscores the challenges that disabled individuals often face in receiving recognition for their work. Carly, who dedicates herself to supporting autistic women in various stages of their lives, expressed her desire to redefine public perception regarding the honours system, advocating for a narrative that it is not merely for the elite.
Jones pushes for an expansion in the nominations for honours to cultivate a more diverse representation among the recipients. “Everyone knows someone who deserves an honour,” Carly stated, encouraging broader participation in the nomination process. She is adamant about changing the narrative around who gets recognised, noting the potential for nominees’ backgrounds and experiences, particularly those who have surmounted difficulties, to enhance the values of community service and philanthropic work.
Carly’s focus on addressing awards’ perceptions also includes ensuring that these recognitions are based on the individual’s personal efforts rather than donations alone. There is a common concern that simply being wealthy or influential should not automatically translate to receiving accolades. This concern reflects Carly’s personal journey, having not been diagnosed with autism until adulthood and having faced significant challenges, including homelessness. Her life experiences fuel her passion for advocating change within the honours system, ensuring it gives credence to those overcoming adversity while contributing positively to society.
Moreover, statistics from the Cabinet Office suggest a gradual increase in the recognition of individuals with disabilities, reporting an increase from 6.3% in the New Year Honours of 2015 to around 15% for the 2025 awards. While this upward trend is encouraging, the overall representation of disabled individuals remains lower than the national average; census figures indicate nearly 18% of the population in England and Wales identifies as having a disability. The efforts by Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, to recognize and celebrate these achievements are significant. However, challenges remain, particularly in diversifying honour recipients by geography and social class.
The scrutiny of awards aiming to address these underrepresentation issues has led to the recruitment of an independent chair focused on improving diversity and outreach within the honours awarding process. Carly’s advocacy and the measures being put into place reflect a concerted effort to ensure that the UK’s honours system evolves, becoming more inclusive and representative of society as a whole, as indicated by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to fostering a diverse honours system.
In conclusion, Carly Jones exemplifies the voice of those often overlooked in recognition systems, working tirelessly to ensure that the efforts and contributions of disabled individuals are acknowledged and celebrated. The ongoing reforms and discussions surrounding fairness and representation in the honours system echo her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, awareness, and representation in recognising the diverse fabric of contributions within society.