Go to the Awards Page and nominate now!

Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum AO was the foundation Blake Dawson Waldron Professor in Industrial Law in the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney. He took up this position in January 1993 and retired from it on 30 September 2007. Ron is the first totally blind person to have been appointed to a full professorship in any field at any university in Australia or New Zealand. He served as Dean of the University of Sydney Law School from 2002 to 2007. Ron is now a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney.

To Read more view The Patron page

These claims are false. There is no need for people to pay a fee to join the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

To read more view the media release Beware of scammers asking for NDIS Fees

If there is something that you cannot find on our website, please email idpwd@fahcsia.gov.au for assistance. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to provide an improved website in the near future

The Hon. Jenny Macklin, Minister for Disability Reform and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers Senator Jan McLucas celebrated the day with students, staff and parents at Clifton Hill Primary School in Melbourne.

As well as acknowledging the contributions people with disability make to our community, Ms Macklin thanked the organisers of the event – Children with Disability Australia and congratulated the school principal Geoffrey Warren on winning the ‘Excellence for Improving Educational Outcomes’ Award at the National Disability Awards on 28^th November. “Clifton Hill Primary School is a great example of a school community that is fully inclusive of students with a disability”.

In her speech, Ms Macklin also recognised some key achievements made by Government over the last 12 months.  “We’ve introduced legislation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) into Parliament and committed 1 billion dollars to launch the scheme from the middle of next year, a commitment that will benefit more than 20,000”.

Other key achievements acknowledged on the day, was the expansion of the Better Start Program giving hundreds more children with disability access to early intervention services and therapies; and the announcement of 73 recipients to share in the Government’s ten million dollar Practical Design Fund, funding projects that help people transition into an NDIS.

In Canberra, hundreds gathered at Parliament House to wish Special Olympics athletes well, at their upcoming games, and watched as athletes and members of the Law Enforcement torch run lit the Flame of Hope Cauldron. Others celebrated the day by learning more about Canberra’s accessible public transport, while some took in a film or attended a market day at the historic Albert Hall.  Some walked the 5km bridge-to-bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin.

People right across the country celebrated the achievements and contributions of people with disability.  Sailing, surfing and golfing activities, educational forums, film festivals, art exhibitions were just a few of the other events held on the day. Thank you all the organisers and those who participated.

Thank you also to Indigenous actor, Aaron Pedersen (well-known to Australian audiences for roles in The Circuit on SBS and the Seven Network series, City Homicide), for being the Patron for Australia’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), and the National Disability Awards in 2012.  Aaron helped promote the 20^th anniversary of IDPwD, appearing in numerous media interviews, including a feature piece on Sky News and a Newslines Radio Program that was broadcast on Indigenous radio right across the country. Channel Ten’s The Project ran a prime-time TV story on IDPwD, and there were well over a thousand press articles communicating key messages and encouraging people to participate on the day.

As Patron, Aaron can draw on his experience caring for his younger brother, who has cerebral palsy and a mild intellectual disability, from a very young age. In his 20’s, Aaron became his brother’s fulltime carer for a number of years.

Aaron said he is looking forward to celebrating the 20^th anniversary of IDPwD on 3 December.

“I know from first-hand experience what it is like to care for a loved one with disability – it’s so important that we acknowledge and celebrate all those people in the community working hard every day to enhance the lives of people with disability,” Aaron said

Aaron is a passionate advocate for people with disability, showcasing his experiences through acting with his documentary My Brother Vinnie, which follows Aaron’s journey as a carer and the extraordinary relationship he has with his sibling.

“International Day of People with Disability is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution people with disability, like my brother, make to our society,” he said.

“You only have to look at the amazing achievements of our Paralympians in London to realise people with disability can achieve amazing things – but not everyone with disability can compete at an elite level – so it’s important that we recognise all the other ways that people with disability enrich our lives and communities.”

International Day of People with Disability, which occurs annually on 3 December, is marking its 20^th anniversary this year. It is a United Nations sanctioned day, which is a collaborative effort to celebrate the contributions, skills and achievements of people with disability.

To find out what IDPwD events are happening near you, or to register your own event, visit www.idpwd.com.au and download a toolkit to help you prepare and promote your celebration.

Comedian, writer and producer Tim Ferguson was the Master of Ceremonies and guests were treated to performances by Emmanuel Kelly and Fresh off the Block.

Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers presented awards to the recipients.

The National Disability Awards are part of the International Day of People with Disability celebrations which are held 3 December each year.

The Awards recognise individuals and organisations whose contributions improve the lives of people with disability. Previous finalists and recipients have included a paralympian, an engineer, a small business, a supermarket chain and a teacher.

There are nine award categories aligned with areas needing action in the National Disability Strategy – a ten year plan for improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.

We would like to congratulate the 2012 National Disability Awards recipients for their contributions and to acknowledge all of the finalists who were in the running for this year’s awards:

2012 Prime Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award
Recipient – Dr Rhonda Galbally, AO, Richmond, VIC.

Minister’s Award for Excellence in Disability Reform
Recipient – Samantha Jenkinson, Karrinyup, WA.
Recipient – Michael Small, Sandy Bay, Tas.

Emerging Leaders Award
Recipient – Gerard O’Dwyer, Guildford, NSW
Finalist – Samantha Parsonage, Allambie Heights, NSW
Finalist – Audrey O’Connor, Denistone, NSW

Excellence in Accessible Communities Award
Recipient – Safe Futures, Eastern Region, Vic
Finalist – Andrew Fulton, North Rocks, NSW
Finalist – Warringah Council, Dee Why, NSW

Excellence in Improving Social Participation
Recipient – Australian Communication Exchange, Stones Corner, Qld
Recipient – The Captioning Studio, Adelaide, SA
Finalist – The Other Film Festival, South Melbourne, Vic
Finalist – Alison Richardson, Parramatta, NSW

Excellence in Advocacy & Rights Promotion Award
Recipient – Communication Rights Australia, Moorabbin, Vic
Finalist – Speak Out, Reach Out, Sydney, NSW
Finalist – Joy Clarke, Irymple, Vic

Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities Award
Recipient – Telstra Corporation, National
Finalist – Australian Dairy Buffalo Co. Millaa Millaa, Qld
Finalist – McDonalds, Erina, NSW

Excellence in Improving Personal and Community Support Award
Recipient – Mary D’Elia, Hobart, Tas
Finalist – Scope Communication Resource Centre, Box Hill, Vic
Finalist – Australian Foundation for Disability, (AFFORD) Sydney, NSW

Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award
Recipient – Geoffrey Warren, Clifton Hill, Vic
Finalist – RIDBC Renwick Centre (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children/The University of Newcastle),  NSW
Finalist – Angelo Gavrielatos, Southbank, Vic

Excellence in Improving Health Outcomes Award
Recipient – Family Planning Qld, Fortitute Valley, Qld
Finalist – The Machado Joseph Disease Foundation, Groote Eylandt, NT
Finalist – Dr Michael Adams, Belair, SA

Yooralla Media Award of Distinction
Recipient – The Project, Network Ten, Vic

For more information, please view the media release

This year is no different and there are celebrations taking place all across the country so you can get involved!

But be quick, only while stocks last!