NEW ZEALAND RECOGNISED FOR DISABILITY ISSUES PROGRESS
For those who don’t know me, I’m Matt Frost. I work as Policy and Information Researcher at CCS Disability Action National Office in Wellington. I am also proud to say I am an Aspie!
Last month, I was privileged to be able to attend ceremonies at the United Nations in New York. This is somewhere I have always wanted to go as I’ve always been interested in international affairs. I accompanied my friend and colleague, Mike Gourley who is President of the New Zealand Disabled Persons Assembly, as Mike’s support person. This was great as we showed that two disabled people could be a strong support for each other- something commented on very favourably in New York. Â
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt prize ceremony was incredibly special for me as a New Zealander. His Excellency the Governor- General, accompanied by Her Excellency and his party, accepted the award on behalf of New Zealand. This prize was awarded to New Zealand as the country which has made noteworthy progress towards the goals of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary- General was also present. It made me aware as someone with an impairment that we have made a lot of progress and are respected internationally, but that we as a country have a strong reputation to live up to and that we need our future actions to reflect this. It was also really special to attend the Entry into Force of the UN Convention- a policy document which will improve the lives of people with disabilities (including ASD) worldwide. Â
In summary, I was immensely proud to represent our country and disabled people in this way. New Zealanders I feel should realise what achievements the awarding of the prize and the Convention actually are. The prize recognises that we as a country (and the advocacy of disabled people in New Zealand) had a powerful role in obtaining world recognition of the concerns of disabled people worldwide. We should celebrate that- but also commit to continuing progress towards a society that fully includes all disabled people- including people with ASD- and their families/whanau. Matt Frost
Policy & Information Researcher
CCS Disability Action DDIÂ Â Â 04 801 0861
MOBÂ 027 309 3706
EMLÂ Â matt.frost@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz http://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/ Â
Alyson Bradley (Aspergers Parallel Planet) wrote on July 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm:
Thanks for that Matt, I was fortunate to meet Matt recently in Wellington and can not think of a better person to represent NZ, who is also committed to continueprogress towards a society that fully includes all disabled people- including people with ASD- and their families.
Like Matt, I am also very happy and proud to be an aspie and part of the aspie/autie community. Alyson
John Rodgers wrote on July 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm:
Great to read of your adventure matt and to see you making such a fantastic success of your life.
Shazia Shamim wrote on August 20th, 2008 at 7:09 am:
Matt you are lucky who get chance to represent his country otherwise i always dream who i can’t join my army. By the way why why disabled people can’t fight for their country as army man?
Berinthia Binnie wrote on November 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm:
Hi Matt,
A very belated thank you for your presentation at the Autism NZ Conference this year.
Wonderful, intelligent, inspiring stuff.