THE chief of a charity that has provided an incredible range of support to disabled artists during the coronavirus pandemic has been honoured by the Queen.
Blandford resident Trish Wheatley, CEO of Disability Arts Online, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in New Year Honours.
During 2020, the Disability Arts Online (DAO) team has supported 73 disabled artists through 93 one-to-one sessions, streamed 19 digital events, provided 135 artists and writers with paid work, provided access support for 18 disabled artists to successfully apply for emergency funds, written 15 letters of recommendation and commissioned 30 artists through the DAO Covid Commissions in response to the crisis, reaching a total audience of 190,000 people.