Congratulations to all of the winners of
2013 National Disability Awards announced last night and presented at Parliament House in Canberra.
Our friends and colleagues at
Down Syndrome Victoria won the
Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award for their
Inclusion Support Service - congratulations!
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| Ian Cook and Kade Rayson-Bradbury |
This year’s field was exemplary, with many committed recipients whose work has helped improve the lives of Australians with disability and their families,” Senator Fifield said.
Down Syndrome Victoria’s commitment to helping students with disability get the support they need at school really stood out.
Since its inception in 2006, the Inclusion Support Service has provided schools and teachers across Victoria with the resources and skills to help meet the individual needs of children with Down syndrome.
The Inclusion Support Service is an outstanding model for inclusive mainstream education practice, and has helped parents across Victoria access the right school environment for their child.
I commend Down Syndrome Victoria for this fantastic initiative, which has achieved real and long-lasting change for students with disability in Victoria, and congratulate them on their award.
Senator Mitch Fifield on the Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award, 2013
The DSISS is the only visiting teacher and consultancy service available to children with Down syndrome. It aims to ensure students with Down syndrome reach their full potential by providing practical, hands on support, resources and skills to teachers and support staff responsible for meeting their needs.
Many families have been fortunate to have the vast expertise of DSV's Victorian Educator Ian Cook in assisting their child navigate their way through the school years.
All of us at DSV are incredibly proud of this nomination and wish Ian all the best of luck.
Twelve individuals and organisations were recognised for their outstanding work to improve the lives of people with disability at this year’s National Disability Awards.
Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, congratulated the winners at a ceremony at Parliament House.
“This year’s field was exemplary, with many committed recipients whose work has helped improve the lives of Australians with disability and their families,” Senator Fifield said.
“Congratulations to the award recipients and all of the finalists who were recognised for the outstanding contributions they make to our community.”
Minister Fifield said the awards had been impressive this year, with more than 200 nominations received across the nine categories.
“This year we have seen people who have dedicated more than 30 years to supporting people with disabilities,” Minister Fifield said.
“We awarded emerging leaders who are pioneering attitude change both domestically and internationally.
“These individuals and businesses exemplify the benefits to all of helping people with disability take part in all aspects of social, economic and community life.”
Media outlets were also recognised for their significant contribution through the Yooralla Media Award of Distinction.
“I’d particularly like to congratulate the winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, the late Lesley Hall. Lesley was an outstanding leader, a formidable advocate for people with disability, a strong advocate for the NDIS and a member of two of the expert groups set up to guide its development.”
The National Disability Awards form an important part of the Australian Government’s celebration of the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disability.
Selfish Advocacy
International Day of People with Disability is celebrated on 3rd December, with event usually spilling over the whole week, and the first Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games begin in Newcastle on Sunday, 1st December for a full week of competition. 
Reading About Me! was developed by the Down Syndrome Association of Southern Oregon Patricia Oelwein, author of Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome and co-author of Literacy Skill Development for Students with Special Learning Needs: A Strength-Based Approach, in order to provide individuals who have not typically been successful readers in school a chance to show that many can successfully learn to read.
