This year’s United Nations theme for International Day of People with a Disability is “Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.” This theme has been our goal for six years with the NSW Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, which focuses on promoting greater understanding and recognition of people with a disability.

Across NSW, people will come together to celebrate with activities that include cultural, arts, sporting and community events. Made You Look, circulated more widely than ever in 2009 will tell the stories of people with a disability living in NSW and around the world, promoting greater understanding and challenging preconceived ideas about what it’s like to have a disability. This year we’ve created a publication that seeks to inform and entertain, representing the diverse views and passions of a community that makes up 20% of our population.

Once again, our ambassadors represent a diverse range of abilities and through their achievements they embody the message we are sharing with NSW and the world, that people with a disability must not be underestimated.

I would like to thank all who have contributed to the 2009 Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign and I hope that everyone has a fantastic International Day of People with a Disability.

The Hon. Paul Lynch MP
Minister for Disability Services