Paralympians should inspire nominations

Now most paralympians have returned home, New Zealanders are being urged not to forget the admiration they developed for the team during the Paralympics in Beijing.

Paralympians and other outstanding New Zealanders living with disabilities who excel in business, the arts and their communities, are being sought for the inaugural “Attitude Awards”.

Attitude presenter and associate producer Curtis Palmer says while Sophie Pascoe, the 15-year-old paralympian swimmer, was truly inspirational with her triple gold medal and one silver medal haul, there are lots of other disabled heroes out there too.

“We also want to celebrate young disabled people who are inspirational, people in our communities who contribute to making the life of a disabled person richer, our ‘outside’ artists, disabled entrepreneurs and the employers who help disabled people achieve successful working lives,” says Palmer.

Kiwis are urged to nominate disabled people they respect in their communities. Nomination forms for eight categories can be downloaded from www.disabilitytv.com  website and need to be returned before noon October 15.

Palmer says RSVP Productions, which makes the weekly TV series “Attitude” (TV One Sunday mornings), is working with Parafed on a gala evening to be held in Auckland at Sky City Convention Centre on December 3 – coinciding with World Disability Day.

 

ACC is the principal sponsor, supporting the Employer and Supreme Awards.

“ACC wants to acknowledge people who have shown resolve to return to work and the businesses that have helped make that possible,” says Dr Jan White, ACC Chief Executive. “The benefits of returning to work after an injury are well proven, improving almost all aspects of the person’s life, and these awards showcase people and organisations who understand that.”

Southern Cross, Air New Zealand, NZ Trade and Enterprise, Lion Foundation, NZ Relay, Invacare and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust have also committed to supporting the awards with travel prizes, business mentoring and grants.

Finalists will be selected by November 4.