Breaking Down the Barriers

Robert Altamore

14 November 2011

I am a long term member of the ACT disability and blindness community who has also been involved in a range of community activities in both the general community and the disability sector.

As a person with lifelong experience of blindness I believe that chances start early and inclusive education is important. These views were formed through my early experiences attending a school for the blind but then entering the “ordinary” stream where I excelled. I am thankful for this opportunity which culminated in successful completion of two university degrees, one in Arts and one in Law.

For 29 years I practised Law in the public and private sectors. I was also active in the blindness and broader disability movements in leadership roles at the local, national and international levels.

In 2010 I retired from the Australian Public Service and am now the Executive Officer of People with Disabilities ACT Inc. PWD ACT promotes and supports the collective interests of people with disabilities. We work to bring about an inclusive society by: advocating for the removal of all attitudinal, physical and social barriers which prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life; working to improve policies, programs and practices in our society which support people with disabilities to have the best life possible; and collaborating with other ACT disability advocacy organisations to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. You can find out more about PWD ACT at www.pwdact.org.au

I have a passion about consumer representation of people with disabilities and quality service in the ACT which included a period as Chair of the ACT Disability Advisory Council where I helped drive Council work on service quality and also supported work to improve our presence and access in the ACT and Region.

I am also focussed about building employment opportunities for people with disabilities which is perhaps one of the most pressing and difficult areas of life for some blind and vision impaired people.

I am also currently President of Radio 1RPH a radio station for people who are print handicapped. I have been delighted to see print Handicapped radio thrive and expand and am proud of our work to expand into Wagga Wagga and Junee.

I am a member of the Rotary Club of Canberra Weston Creek. I believe that Service Clubs offer young people generally great opportunities for friendship and personal development.

The other passion in my life is my work with my wife Wendy to assist and fundraise for the people of East Timor and it was a delight to visit the region for the first time last year and see the outcomes of our work on the ground. It has been good to see this work recognised through the Awarding of a Centenary Medal in 2002 and an Order of Australia medal in 2009

I’d urge any person with a disability to take all opportunities that present themselves, and make the most out of every day.