Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Nominations Open for National Disability Awards

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
    Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
    Minister for Disability Reform

  • The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
    Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers
    Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water

Disability advocate and 2011 Senior Australian of the Year, Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum AO, has today been named as this year’s Patron for International Day of People with Disability and the National Disability Awards.

Nominations for the seventh annual National Disability Awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to the lives of people with disabilities also open today.

The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Amanda Rishworth, congratulated Professor McCallum on his new role.

“Professor McCallum comes to the role of Patron for International Day of People with Disability with significant experience as the inaugural member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as serving as its current Vice Chair,” Ms Macklin said.

“Having dedicated himself over many years to improving the lives of people with disability, in particular those with visual impairment, Professor McCallum will be a strong voice in promoting International Day of People with Disability.

“Professor McCallum was appointed professor in industrial law at University of Sydney in 1993, becoming the first totally blind person appointed to a full professorship at an Australian university.”

Ms Rishworth encouraged Australians to nominate individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to the lives of people with disability for the seventh annual National Disability Awards.

“The Awards build awareness of disability issues and recognise the important role people with disability play in their local communities, their country and internationally,” Ms Rishworth said.

Nominations for the Awards are open until 28 June 2013 and we encourage people to get their nominations in.

“The call for nominations comes at an important time for the disability sector, with the launch of DisabilityCare Australia, the national disability insurance scheme, from July this year,” Ms Rishworth said.

“During the launch phase DisabilityCare Australia will give around 26,000 people with disability increased choice and control over the care and support they receive.”

The Commonwealth has reached agreement for the full roll out of DisabilityCare Australia to around 90% of Australians. We will continue to work with Western Australia to ensure they sign on.

The award recipients will be announced at a gala dinner in Canberra on 26 November. The awards are part of the Australian Government’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

To nominate for the National Disability Awards visit www.idpwd.com.au or call 1800 672 682, TTY users please call 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 672 682.