He was a lifelong advocate of greater inclusion for everyone. To be in a meeting with Dave was to learn.
To learn that inclusion didn’t just mean ramps for disabled people and additional milestones on a planning sheet. Rather, that inclusion, real inclusion, meant creating environments that worked for all people.
That to do so was not only moral, but practical.
That a straight, white man, who wouldn’t even know what Diversity & Inclusion meant, would also be included, because no-one was excluded.
To know that parents with buggies could benefit from accessible walkways.
To know that elderly people who would never consider themselves disabled could benefit from thoughtfully placed seating.
To know that whoever you were, our thinking would account for you and our sincere desire would be to include you.
David, 51, a lifelong champion of disability rights and inclusion for all, was External Access and Inclusion Coordinator in LOCOG’s Diversity and Inclusion team. He had been on secondment from the Greater London Authority since last year. He led on our external access and inclusion work and was committed to ensuring all of our clients had a great experience at Games-time. In particular, he pioneered the "Paralympic Inclusive Environment" which garnered widespread support across LOCOG and beyond.
David was a regular blogger on the London 2012 website and he would have approved of this attempted blog now.
WH Auden said “you owe it to all of us to get on with what you’re good at”. It was one of Dave’s favourite quotes and he lived it to the fullest.
David was hugely inspirational - he challenged us all and made a big impact on me, on LOCOG and on London 2012.
Our resolve is stronger as a result of his passing.
We must ensure his legacy.
