Ciara McCarthy is a 22 year old multiply disabled person who has cerebral palsy, autism and is profoundly deaf with bilateral cochlear implants. Through their lived experience of having complex needs, they develop and create online content under @DeafCiara, focusing on educational videos around BSL and day to day living as a disabled person.

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Elections, Ciara delivered an online campaign which consisted of videos going through the political parties manifestos highlighting their disability focused policies but also responsibility to questions on how people can vote accessibly and developed easy read versions to explain voting for the disability community 

Beyond their online presence, Ciara continues their actvism in person by supporting numerous societies at the University of Glasgow including as acting as the social media officer for the Disabled Students Society, Founder and President of the BSL society and acted as the former disability officer for GULGBTQ+. They also act as the Disability Equality Officer where they support and advocate for disabled students on campus.

Ciara works extremely hard to promote intersectionality in politics and daily life, meeting with politicians and policy makers to champion accessibility in transitions for neurodivergent young people, accessibility in further education, and championing measures to improve the quality of life for disabled people in Scotland. 
But Ciara’s life isn’t defined by disability, they spend their free time at wheelchair rugby, watching F1, and making Glasgow University’s campus a better place.