My Particpation at the Q&A event to the West Midlands Mayor

I attended and have taken part in a special Q&A event for regional citizens. This was for the Mayor of the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and took place in the Gas Hall at the Museum & Art Gallery in the centre of Birmingham. This event was part of a series of events which also have taken part in other key districts and cities in the west Midlands metropolitan area.

I asked questions directly to the Mayor
My question to Richard Parker is the following
"I'm a neurodivergent person (autistic spectrum) & participant in awareness & dancing, as well as a designer. My question is what can be done to improve representation and social attitudes in my city & region including listening to our lived experiences"

The mayor has partly answered question but he responded political policies which did not cover all the issues I wasn't trying to say.

So I sent a follow-up email to Mayor an emphasize additional factors including social attitudes and behavior which I felt has got worse through my observations. I also felt that due to the recent news coverage I've got visibility are not well represented due to misinterpretation.

I feel they need to be a cultural and social change neurodivergent to discourage ableist, discriminatory, bullying and hatred towards me and others regardless of the difficulties anyone live with

I feel they should be a greater representation of neurodivergent people which effect their place Society

The importance to support neurodivergent into opportunities in education employment and enterprise start up against discrimination.

The Mayor responded:
"I want to acknowledge the concerns you outlined in your follow-up message. The issues you’ve highlighted are deeply important and reflect challenges that many across the region are facing. I understand the frustration and urgency behind them, and I am grateful that you took the time to bring them forward."

My details were passed to relevant teams within the combined authority to enable my voice & insight are listened and heard.

This lead to be involved in a webinar organised by the Policy Manager for Disability and Health at the Combined authority.

Coming Soon
Details of my article on details on my participation of the combined authority event "Designing a disabled voice".

This article is linked with

Visit the Participation index for more of this and similar developments

Notice to editors:
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label projects King Of the Beats, including filming and behind-the-scenes preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand, Plus Value Awareness, along with Differences Originals. I am also involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games