Bill Gray MBE CV/History

Bill started his exploration of Disability Equality in 1988 when the Social Model of Disability was first introduced to Scotland. Shortly after, the Open University provided a course in how to provide Training in Disability Issues. In turn this led to the forming of Fife Disability Equality Trainers, a group of Disabled people who were all interested in promoting Disability Equality and is now the longest established such group in Scotland.

Bill was one of the founders of The Dunfermline Forum on Disability, Fife Independent Disability Network, was a founding member of Dunfermline Advocacy Initiative and Fife Direct Payments Support Group. Bill served on the Committees of all of these organisations.
As well as Equality Issues Bill has been involved in special projects, again adding to his experience and knowledge. One of these was to facilitate the Government of Portugal to evaluate social services for disabled people and to make it fit for purpose for the 21st Century. Bill has also been involved in the introduction of disability legislation and review of service provision in this country.

Other activities include being appointed a Tribunal member for Social Security appeals, a post he has held for over 15 years.

Other related activities include:

Retired Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Thistle Foundation.
Vice Chair and founder member of the Dunfermline Citizen Advocacy Initiative.
Member of the Crown Office’s Equality Advisory Group.
Committee member of Ownership Options in Scotland.

Bill has also been involved in the production of a number of training packs relating to Disability e.g.  Passport – Forging creative partnerships in community care (in partnership with Dundee University.) He was also a Trustee of Scottish Human Services and had input too many of their training programmes, research and conferences.

In 2010 Bill was awarded the MBE for his services to Diversity and Disability Equality Training.

Bill is also a qualified Yacht Master and sails his 30 foot yacht round the coasts of Scotland, Northern England and Ireland.

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