We would like to congratulate Miro Griffiths, one of our associates, on receiving his MBE last week.

Miro received his MBE for services to people with disabilities.

Commenting on the award, Miro said: "It is a great honour to receive the MBE and I am stunned by the whole experience. I have tried to promote the views of disabled people and help bring about positive change for our society. I feel the MBE is representative of all the hard work that my peers do and I've had the opportunity to work with fantastic people in our disability movement, the likes of Sue Bott, Zara Todd, Clenton Farquharson, John Evans, Tara Flood, Michelle Daley to name but a few. Obviously, the situation facing many disabled people is one of exclusion, isolation and reduced life chances and the reality is that it is a very dangerous time to be disabled. I hope that by accepting this MBE, I am able to influence those in decision-making positions and ensure they listen to the views of disabled people and act on their recommendations, work with and support disabled people's organisations and ultimately make choice and control a reality for disabled people."

Miro runs his own consultancy, Miro Consultancy, which he founded in 2007. He is recognised for specialising and having a keen interest in disabled people's empowerment and participation, transitional stages of a disabled person's life and the independent living debate. Miro advises on various disability networks, is an experienced guest speaker and works as a consultant for local and national charities and organisations.