Disability Advocate Defied Expectations, Championed Independent Living

Dick Harris, a lifelong disability advocate, passed away in 2020 at the age of 71. Born in Wrexham, Wales, with cerebral palsy, Harris spent his early years in institutional care before moving to a pioneering independent living development in London in 1979. This was a pivotal moment, as it allowed him to make his own choices and manage his own finances for the first time.

Over the next decades, Harris worked tirelessly to champion independent living for people with disabilities. He was involved in voluntary groups that organized breaks and holidays for disabled individuals, meeting his wife Angi on one such trip. Harris also held various roles at disability organizations, including the Spastics Society (now Scope) and Leonard Cheshire, where he had previously lived as a young man.

Despite facing challenges in securing the necessary funding and resources, Harris maintained an independent lifestyle, with the help of community service volunteers and the Access to Work scheme. He continued volunteering with disability groups in Coventry and Warwickshire until this year, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and inspiration.