Three Sydney University academics have received an honour from the National Ethnic Disability Alliance for their commitment to Australian human rights.
Three Sydney University academics are among the six inaugural recipients of National Ethnic Disability Alliance medals.
Professor Mary Crock and Emertius Professor Ron McCallum AO from Sydney Law School and Dr Dinesh Wadiwel from the Department of Sociology and Social Policy were awarded at the organisation’s 20th birthday celebrations in Canberra.
“I am really proud to continue working with organisations such as NEDA which aim to eliminate the barriers faced by people with disability to inclusion and participation,” Wadiwel said.
“As Australia makes progress in improving access to resources and control for people with disability, such as through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), strong advocacy for culturally diverse groups remains as important as ever.”
NEDA, the national peak organisation representing the rights and interests of culturally and linguistically diverse people living with disability, has a key focus on migration law, in particular the 10-year rule that denies migrants disability benefits until they have lived in Australia for a decade.
“In addition to our joint and separate writings on the subject, my husband Ron and I have appeared before our Senate advocating a less punitive approach to disabilities in migration law. This has been one area where we have been able to join forces in an attempt to make a difference in the immigration law space,” said Crock of her pro bono migration law practice.
