Walpiri woman Valda Shannon, Christine Cumaiyi and Henbury School for students with disabilities, are just some of the names officially appointed to the Territory's first Disability Advisory Committee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The inaugural committee is made up of 12 Territorians who will provide a voice for people with disability in the Northern Territory.
Over half the committee members have a disability, one third are carers and a portion of the strong advocates come from some of the Territory's most remote communities - where there are both higher rates of disability and less access to services than those living in metropolitan areas.
Launched on December 3, the International Day of People with Disability, Minister for Disabilities, Natasha Fyles said the committee will support the Territory Government as it works towards embedding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.
"Insights and experiences of these members will be invaluable to the Northern Territory where their voices have historically had a limited platform - something we are changing through the appointment of these 12 outstanding Territorians," she said.
"I'm looking forward to working with the Committee as we move towards achieving the shared vision of the National Disability Strategy for an inclusive society that enables everyone to fulfil their potential."
The committee is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory and comes as the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme is complete.
Newly appointed chair, Valda Shannon, has been living and working in Tennant Creek since 1992.
A teacher, principal and researcher for much of her career, Ms Shannon has written culturally relevant programs for the Mental Health Association of Central Australian Suicide Prevention initiative, and presented her findings in New York at the 2014 United Nations Indigenous Forum.
She has also advocated strongly for her son who has an intellectual disability and is famous for his music in the small town of Tennant Creek.
"This committee provides a platform for people with disabilities across the Territory to engage and have their say," she said.
"It allows us to come together as a united voice to be heard on issues important to people with disabilities and their wellbeing.
"As chair, I am pleased with the inclusiveness of the committee, everyone working together on taking a new journey to achieve better outcomes."
The inaugural committee is made up of 12 Territorians including: Valda Shannon (chair), Chris Blackham-Davison (deputy chair), Jameson Casson, Christine Cumaiyi, Marlene Timothy, Kate Jessica Ranford, Gwilym Conran, Lily Reid, Joel Walker, Chris Timotheou, Henbury School and Acacia Hill School.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
