University trio honoured for human rights work

The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) has honoured three University of Sydney academics for their human rights advocacy.

Professor Mary Crock and Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum AO from Sydney Law School and Dr Dinesh Wadiwel from the Department of Sociology and Social Policy are among the six inaugural recipients of NEDA medals, awarded at the organisation’s 20th birthday celebrations in Canberra.

NEDA is the national peak organisation representing the rights and interests of culturally and linguistically diverse people living with disability, and their families and carers.

A key focus for NEDA’s advocacy has been on health rules in migration law, including the 10-year rule that denies migrants disability benefits until they have lived as permanent residents in Australia for a decade.

Professor Crock has supported these efforts through her pro bono migration law practice.

“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 Professor Crock.

Dr Dinesh Wadiwel, Lecturer in Socio-Legal Studies and Human Rights, said NEDA is one of few organisations working hard to realise the rights of Australia’s one million people from non-English speaking backgrounds who live with disability.

“As Australia make 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,” said Dr Wadiwel.

“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."