A DEAFBLIND activist and university student from Dursley joined MPs and decision makers at last week’s Conservative Party Conference to talk about the future of disability policy.

Ellen Watson, 21, joined national disability charity, Sense, at a disability policy reception in Birmingham where she spoke about her personal experiences of being deafblind and the changes she’d like to see delivered by the government to enable young disabled people live full, independent lives.

Ellen, who has a rare condition called Usher Syndrome which causes progressive sight and hearing loss, was born severely deaf and began losing her eyesight aged 15.

The passionate campaigner who attends Sheffield University spoke as part of the launch of Sense’s ‘Realising Aspirations for All’ report, which revealed that only 4 per cent of young deafblind people are in employment, Ellen shared her personal experiences of attending university and her work to raise awareness and challenge the negative perceptions of the abilities of people who are deafblind.

Speaking alongside minister of state for digital and Culture, Matthew Hancock and Sense CEO Gillian Morbey, Ellen shared her thoughts on how young disabled people can be supported to find employment.

Ellen said: “It was a huge honour to share my personal experiences and thoughts on how the government can help improve opportunities for young disabled people directly with decision makers and MPs.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have the support of a fantastic family and group of friends and I attend university and lead as fulfilling a life as any other 21-year-old; However I’m also aware that many young disabled people are written off because of their conditions and don’t receive the support they need to help them achieve their potential.

“I hope I’ve helped shine a light on what it’s like to be a young disabled person and the government policy changes that could help to improve life chances for people like me.”