A BARRHEAD woman who works to create equal workplace opportunities for those with disabilities has been rewarded with a British Empire Medal.

Jo-Ann Moran was named in the New Year Honours List in recognition of her services to people with disabilities in the public sector, through her role as a learning and development manager for the Home Office, in London.

As a sufferer of Usher syndrome – a degenerative condition which causes hearing loss and visual impairment – the former St Luke’s High pupil dedicates her time to promoting the capabilities those with disabilities possess.

Some of the key aspects of Jo-Ann's role involve delivering talks on disability awareness, influencing policy changes and educating employers on the small changes that can make an organisation more inclusive.

Such measures include learning basic British sign language to enhance interaction with deaf colleagues.

Jo-Ann is also well-versed in explaining ways of designing documents to assist visually impaired workers who rely on the use of screen readers.

Although Jo-Ann has remained committed to her job throughout the last two years, she said she never expected to get such formal recognition as the BEM.

She told the Barrhead News: “I am really humbled to receive this honour in recognition of my contribution to services to disabled people in the public sector.

“As someone who suffers from Usher syndrome, it is vitally important for me that people like me are able to not only maintain employment but also have the opportunity to maximise their talents.

“We need to change the mindset of society that, just because someone has different abilities, it doesn’t mean that disabled people cannot make a valuable contribution in the workplace.”

Jo-Ann added: “I am very blessed to have a fabulous support network and nothing I have achieved would have happened through my efforts alone.

“I want others to have the same opportunities that I have had.”

Given her own disability, Jo-Ann knows just how vital it is for employers to accommodate disabled employees.

She said: “It was only when my eyesight started to deteriorate that I became more aware of the need for adjustments.

“We talk about reasonable adjustments in the workplace but it is also a return on investment as it is about being able to show people with disabilities can give something back.

“I’ve been able to maintain full-time employment and I want that for everyone else with a disability.”