Disability champions honoured at state awards

Queenslanders who are improving the quality of life for people with a disability were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony in Brisbane today.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt today presented 14 Disability Action Week Awards to individuals and organisations from across the state as a part of this year’s Disability Action Week.

“The awards are presented to individuals and organisations who have developed successful initiatives that are making a real difference for Queenslanders with a disability, their families and carers,” Mr Pitt said.

“It is important that we recognise people who help make the community more inclusive for people with a disability — people who are actively working towards making our society fair, equitable and accessible for all.

“Today we applaud people who have achieved significant milestones for people with a disability living in communities across Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“We’re also paying tribute to the men and women who are leading the way in fields such as assistive technology, law and media — they are all working to make a difference for people with a disability, their families and carers.

“These awards are a highlight of Disability Action Week, which continues until 21 July under the theme See beyond the disability, which encourages people to put ability first.

“Disability Action Week celebrates what people with a disability can do — rather than what they can’t. It also acknowledges the many ways that people with a disability contribute to our communities.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280

Full list of 2007 winners attached.

Note to editors: Photos of winners available.

2007 Disability Action Week Awards winners are:

• Individual Award (sponsored by the Department of Communities)
Carol O’Reilly from Cairns; Mark Farrell from Hervey Bay; Patricia Osborne from Buderim; and Robert Plant from Wakerley

• Employment Award (sponsored by National Disability Services)
Hungry Jack’s, south/south-east Brisbane area

• Transport Award (sponsored by Queensland Transport)
Greyhound Australia, based at Eagle Farm, Brisbane

• Local and State Government Award (sponsored by Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation)
Princess Alexandra Hospital Health Services District, Woolloongabba

• Private Enterprise Award (sponsored by Capability Queensland)
Supa IGA Glenmore, Rockhampton

• Community Organisation Award (sponsored by Queensland Rail)
Spinal Education Awareness Team, Spinal Injuries Association, based at Woolloongabba

• Media Award (sponsored by Disability Services Queensland)
ABC Local Radio Queensland – for stories by Ingrid Just, from Rockhampton, and Nicole Dyer, from Townsville

• Building Accessible Housing and Environments Award (sponsored by the Department of Public Works)
Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation, Brisbane – for Wayfinding in the Built Environment project

• Education and Arts Award (sponsored by Griffith University)
Danielle Aukeela, teacher at Mount Crosby Special School, Ipswich

• Human Rights and Justice Award (sponsored by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General)
Queensland Law Reform Commission, Brisbane

• Minister’s Award for Innovation in Service Delivery
Tamara Vallance, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service – for bushwalking for visitors who are vision impaired at Wongabel State Forest, south of Atherton.