On receiving the honour, Edel Harris OBE, says:
“This award recognises the people with a learning disability, my colleagues over many years and those in the disability community who I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career…I hope this award and the subsequent attention will help raise the profile of the learning disability sector’s important work. Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives and I look forward to continuing to play a small part in helping to make that happen.”