We are thrilled to announce that Katy Deacon, the founder of Towards Belonging, has been recognised with the Disability Personality of the Year award at the national Empowerment Awards 2025!
The Empowerment Awards, hosted by disability charity Talks with MS, celebrate individuals and organisations making extraordinary contributions to the disability community. Katy’s recognition at such a prestigious event highlights her tireless work bridging the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry.
“I was utterly thrilled to receive this recognition at such a high level!” Katy shared. “I work incredibly hard to bridge the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry. Having my work recognised in this way is amazing!”
Beyond her role at Towards Belonging, Katy recently began a visiting professorship at the University of Huddersfield in September 2024, funded by a Royal Academy of Engineering industry-into-academia initiative. There, she works with staff and students to embed inclusivity into the Engineering curriculum, helping ensure future engineers develop solutions that make the world more accessible for everyone.
Katy brings impressive credentials to her work, including being a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology with 25 years of engineering experience across aircraft maintenance, electrical building services, renewable energy, information governance and cyber security.
Since being diagnosed with MS in 2012 and becoming a wheelchair user in 2013, Katy has brought her lived experience to numerous influential roles, including as a Vice President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and chair of the IET’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion board.
We couldn’t be prouder to have such an inspirational leader at the helm of Towards Belonging. Katy’s recognition reinforces our commitment to creating more inclusive spaces in engineering and beyond.
