COLES Southgate, Tamworth Regional Library and Oxley High are among the winners from this year’s Tamworth Access Awards.
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The awards, which recognise businesses in the city that make the extra effort to include people with a disability, were presented as part of the annual international Day of Disability celebrations at the Tamworth Town Hall on Monday which was attended by more than 200 people from the Tamworth, Gunnedah and Quirindi areas.
Honoured this year were Coles Southgate (excellence in customer service); Paul Turner (individual access award); the NBN hub at Tamworth Regional Library (education assistance access award); and the Oxley High School Year 10 students (overall access award).
Mr Turner was recognised for his efforts in helping a vision-impaired man continue to enjoy motorbike riding after his eyesight began to deteriorate, while the Oxley students received their award for volunteering to assist competitors at the Sunnyfield Sports Day at the Tamworth Sports Dome in August.
With the theme “ROCKability”, the four-hour event included a talent quest and special appearance by band Splashpool of which Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is a member. Disability service providers from across the district were involved in the organisation of the day and ensuring their clients had the chance to kick back and celebrate a day with special significance.
Charmaine Alley, the individual service co-ordinator for House With No Steps, said it was all about recognising peoples’ abilities and achievements and raising awareness within the community.
Mr Anderson said inclusion was everyone’s responsibility and everyone had a right to be and feel part of their community.