Online Memorial Event on 13 January 2026: Chat

“Remembering John Evans OBE – Celebrating Independent Living”

Chat:

This is the chat that was recorded during the online memorial event for John on 13 January 2026. Please note that unfortunately, neither emojis nor reactions to/likes of comments were included in the chat recording.

2026-01-13 17:04:03 From caroline's Notetaker (Otter.ai) to Everyone:

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2026-01-13 17:10:48 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

I worked with John when he was at NCAG I also found out about him from TLAP video before joining he was someone I looked up to and much admired

2026-01-13 17:12:59 From CHRISTOS MELETIS to Everyone:

Memorial website: Remembering John Evans OBE

2026-01-13 17:14:24 From Vicky Forfar to Everyone:

I didnt know John as well as I would have liked but from what I do know of him he was an amazing man. He will be remembered for all the right reasons

2026-01-13 17:21:54 From Angie Stewart to Everyone:

I never had the pleasure of meeting John, but I know my life living with the support of my PA Team would be very different if John had not paved the way for way for Direct Payments and Independent Living. I now present to other disabled people, PAs and local authorities on the ‚Spirit of Direct Payments’ and tell Johns story. What a legacy to leave! Thank you John.

2026-01-13 17:23:13 From Mark Harrison to Everyone:

I sat on the British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) International Committee in thee 1990s/early 2000s. His wisdom and steely determination grounded our work and campaigning. His vision and commitment to independent living ran through everything we did internationally. He taught me so much alongside Rachel Hurst, Bill Albert and grounded our activism and work, meaning we were able to build international alliances with DPOs in the global south. A true warrior!

2026-01-13 17:26:11 From Tony Baldwinson to Everyone:

With Jana's permission and help we have archived his papers in the Disabled People's Archive in Manchester, UK, run by a DPO in partnership with the official archives body. 102 boxes of papers, videos etc. https://disabledpeoplesarchive.com

2026-01-13 17:27:00 From Zara Todd to Everyone:

I had the privilege of knowing john for nearly 20 years first through the BCODP and later through ENIL. he was truly a giant of our movement.

2026-01-13 17:27:05 From Frances Hasler to Everyone:

John when he is asked about his achievements speaks about "us" and "we" and all the collective effort; he never made it all about him, which was part of his strength: he was always inclusive.

2026-01-13 17:28:30 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

We need to keep promoting and fighting for inderpentant living

2026-01-13 17:29:27 From Tony Baldwinson to Everyone:

When John visisted the USA he tape recorded 31 interviews and we have them transcribed and plan to publish them as a book, sometime in 2026.

2026-01-13 17:33:55 From Tony Baldwinson to Everyone:

John has a wikipedia page as "John Evans (activist)"

2026-01-13 17:35:36 From kevin caulfield to Everyone:

HI Everyone my name is Kevin and I first met John when I joined the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) in 2003 and found a solid movement to fight/work / co produce the delivery of our rights - Johns no nonsense, fearless straightforward consistent messaging and strategic thinking has rubbed of on everything I have worked for since predominantly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

2026-01-13 17:36:46 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

He is greatly missed I def miss him

2026-01-13 17:41:16 From Frances Hasler to Everyone:

Thank you Jamie for reminding us of some of the wonderful activists we were able to meet and work with and have fun with x

2026-01-13 17:44:39 From Jamie Bolling to Everyone:

Replying to "Thank you Jamie for reminding us of some of the wo...":

Your welcome, yes there are and was so many great people with whom we could share our work and commitment.

2026-01-13 17:47:58 From Ed Walton to Everyone:

someone has to be on mute - rules of online meetings :)

2026-01-13 17:59:05 From Jane Campbell to Everyone:

I was John's friend for just over 40 years. We met at a Disability Rights Conference. He befriended me at a time I desperately wanted independence from my parents! He said ‚join my independent living committee and you will realise your dreams! He wasn’t wrong, he gave me the tools I needed to travel the road to personal and professional liberation ‚ My love of the International Independent Living Movement gives me the strength and inspiration I need to work in politics.

The last time John we caught up with each other was a few weeks before he died. It was a precious moment, We shared stories of the early 80's Rights Not Charity demonstration for Personal Assistants. Many of our friends and fellow activists are no longer with us however their memory live on in the thousands of disabled people who now have choice and control over their lives, in their own homes with the people they choose to assist them. Now that’s what I call a legacy! Jane Campbell UK

2026-01-13 18:00:04 From caroline's Notetaker (Otter.ai) to Everyone:

caroline is on a Basic Otter plan with 30 minute meetings. To record longer meetings, upgrade to Pro: https://otter.ai/pricing?utm_source=oa-chat-basic

2026-01-13 18:20:03 From Vicky Forfar to Everyone:

1 of the memories I have with John is when I was at an event many years ago and he asked us all to sit on our hands and crossed our legs to simulate what its like when you cannot move your arms or legs. That has stuck with me after all these years and I will never forget it

2026-01-13 18:21:55 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

I remember John for the listener he was I enjoyed his company

2026-01-13 18:26:32 From Pete Fleischmann to Everyone:

Lovely event thanks all

2026-01-13 18:26:40 From Louise Thorp to Everyone:

Thank you ! its been a privilege

2026-01-13 18:27:14 From Sybil Ah-Mane to Everyone:

Thank you for the event xx

2026-01-13 18:27:34 From Rachel Elliott to Everyone:

Thank you this was a truly inspiring, touching and interesting event. I'm so grateful you have put this together.

2026-01-13 18:27:42 From Jamie Bolling to Everyone:

Thank you to all!

2026-01-13 18:27:44 From Jane Campbell to Everyone:

THANK You SO MUCH XXX

2026-01-13 18:27:56 From Rose Noonan to Everyone:

Thank you for organising this.

2026-01-13 18:27:59 From CHRISTOS MELETIS to Everyone:

Memorial website: Remembering John Evans OBE

2026-01-13 18:28:02 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

Thanks for doing this event

2026-01-13 18:28:05 From David Ashley to Everyone:

Thank you Jana and all - an inspiring tribute

2026-01-13 18:29:13 From Gerard Crofton-Martin to Everyone:

Thank you for such a touching event , with so much to celebrate.

2026-01-13 18:29:23 From Ines Bulic - ENIL to Everyone:

Thank you all for these tributes in the chat - we will make sure Jana has them after the event and she can put them on the website

2026-01-13 18:29:24 From Richard Vasarhelyi to Everyone:

Great compilation ‚ Fantastic tribute . Thank you for the huge effort Jana , Ines and all !!

2026-01-13 18:30:06 From Jenny Carter to Everyone:

I watched videos about John which lead me to wanting to meet him.

2026-01-13 18:32:28 From Rachel Paddock to Everyone:

What a wonderful tribute to a truly amazing and inspirational man.x

2026-01-13 18:32:49 From CHRISTOS MELETIS to Everyone:

Remembering John Evans OBE

2026-01-13 18:33:00 From Ines Bulic - ENIL to Everyone:

Thank you everyone for joining!

2026-01-13 18:33:01 From Jana Bleckmann-Evans to Everyone:

Thank you all for joining!

2026-01-13 18:33:39 From Vicky Forfar to Everyone:

Thank you Jana. Rest in Peace John. May your inspiration live on

2026-01-13 18:33:40 From Michelle Daley to Everyone:

Thanks John for contributing to my studies

2026-01-13 18:33:42 From Dorothee Riedel-Ratzka to Everyone:

Thank you!!!

2026-01-13 18:33:50 From Jonathan Banfield to Everyone:

Thank you so much for doing this for our uncle John

"Remembering John Evans OBE - Celebrating Independent Living" (Screenshot)