International Day for People with a Disability: NSW Ambassadors

Twenty one NSW Ambassadors for Don’t DIS my ABILITY, the NSW celebration of International Day of People with a Disability 2010 have been announced.  They include two people with Down syndrome, who will fill the role admirably, and who are in very good company.  Congratulations Audrey and Gerard!

Audrey O’Connor is an actor, writer and dancer who at just 19 already has a number of film credits to her name. Audrey dreams of continuing her passion for the arts full time. However, like most aspiring actors, she already has a reliable back up plan, recently gaining work experience at the Sydney Theatre Company. Audrey will be seen next in the short film Secret, which is based on a piece of her creative writing and will be competing in Tropfest 2011. Audrey has Down syndrome.

Gerard O’Dwyer is a man with a plan, not to mention a blue belt in karate. He is determined to achieve the goals he sets himself. The first on his list was to get a job. Tick! He works at McDonalds in North Parramatta four days a week. Next? To be a famous actor. He is well on his way, thanks to his involvement with the Up Up and Away Project for Down Syndrome NSW. In 2009, Gerard appeared in the Tropfest short film Be my Brother and was delighted to win the best actor award. Gerard enjoys swimming, dancing with The Merrymakers and practising karate.

What will they do as Ambassadors?

The Don’t DIS my ABILITY ambassadors are chosen each year from the arts, sports and business fields. Throughout the campaign these ambassadors will attend a variety of events across NSW to promote the key messages of the campaign. In representing the campaign they help in changing misconceptions surrounding disability by creating an environment that encourages participation in careers, leisure pursuits and social activities.
Read about all 21 Ambassadors here
Events across Sydney and regional NSW are listed here.
You can download a copy of  Made You Look, the official Don’t DIS my ABILITY magazine here, or pick up a print copy in local venues, as listed.

The Don’t DIS my ABILITY website provides links to follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter, and the Don't DIS blog.
The campaign officially launches on Tuesday, 2nd November.