APDAWG Presents: 'Assistance Dogs & Disability Rights'

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Join the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG), Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) & Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the Assistance Dog Assessment Association (ADAA) on Tues 11 Nov 2025 to hear all about the brand new Paws for Access survey findings & personal accounts.

We hope that this event will foster greater awareness, understanding & advocacy for the rights & needs of assistance dog users, forging a path towards a more inclusive society.

Lucy Edwards is a blind broadcaster, journalist, content creator, speaker & disability activist. Her global audience has viewed Lucy's content over one billion times & counting, as well as placing her as one of the leading voices in the diversity, equity & inclusion space worldwide. Together with her guide dog Miss Molly, she champions accessibility & inclusivity for all disabled people. Lucy's life motto, "Blind Not Broken," encapsulates her philosophy & her unwavering commitment to change.

Steph Atkin is the Development Coordinator for Assistance Dogs International's European region. She began her career working in TV news, taught English at various universities in the UK, the Netherlands & Switzerland for 15 years, then moved back to the UK in 2011 &worked in vet practice administration. Five years ago she joined Assistance Dogs International, supporting new applicants & existing members throughout the UK & mainland Europe, dealing with public access enquiries from members & the public, plus facilitates the European & International Public Access & Advocacy Committees.

Vicky Worthington brings 20 years of voluntary sector experience to her role as Executive Director of Assistance Dogs UK. Her specialism lies in the development of umbrella organisations and membership structures, which means that she has a deep understanding of the sector's dynamics. With a genuine commitment to equity, Vicky's work is driven by a desire to foster collaboration within the charity sector, recognising the collective strength that comes from working together. Since joining ADUK, she has developed the charity into a thriving and open umbrella body that is instrumental in moving the sector forwards.

Sophie Jackson is a registered midwife working in the medico-legal industry & is a dedicated advocate &ambassador for access &inclusion. Alongside her medical alert assistance dog, Tashi, she uses her lived experience to educate & influence change around assistance dogs, hidden disabilities & equal access. With compassion &boundless enthusiasm for breaking down barriers, she strives to encourage others to see inclusion as both a right & responsibility.

Jordan Chapman is a British Army veteran & now works as a paramedic. He has been partnered with his PTSD assistance dog, Teddy, through Service Dogs UK for 3 years. Jordan & Teddy now support & mentor other veterans when they join Service Dogs UK & are passionate about breaking down barriers that prevent people from being included or accessing support or services.

Katy Deacon is a Charted Electrical Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology plus an award-winning engineer who uses a wheelchair to navigate the world. She is the Founder & CEO of Towards Belonging Ltd., a co. dedicated to empowering engineers to design accessible environments by bringing the voice of disabled people into the conversation. Katy’s partnership with her assistance dog, Sterling, is an example of the life changing support assistance dogs provide, driving her work as an inclusive engineering innovator, Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor & Vice President of the IET, to ensure a more accessible world for everyone.

Richard Mearns, Board Member for Assistance Dogs Assessment Association (ADAA), with a wealth of experience including Military service serving in the British Army & working on frontline in Law Enforcement, Civil Service & Financial Regulation & now Finance industry. His Charity work is a passion drawn from lived experience with PTSD & his partnership with his now owner-trained & retiring assistance dog, Ziggy. Richard & Ziggy have been nominated for a no. of awards, he continues to advocate for improved accessibility rights for all assistance dog teams. He champions Accessibility Rights for Assistance Dogs especially those who are owner trained through  ADAA & he's driven to show that change is hard but not impossible.  

This meeting will be followed by drinks, food & networking at a nearby hotel bar. Thanks to Agria Pet Insurance for all their generous support.