Happy International Day for People with Disabilities.
My name is Dan Stubbs and I'm the new Victorian Public Advocate.
I feel incredibly privileged to lead the diverse and impressive work of this organisation, the Office of the Victorian Public Advocate.
This organisation is one that has human rights and people with disability at the centre everything we do.
Before I go on, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to Daniel Layton who has been the Acting Victorian Public Advocate for the last 12 months.
His leadership has allowed the organisation to continue more moving forward and he's done a tremendous pair of work to keep this organisation delivering on all fronts over the last 12 months.
I'm so glad Daniel is continuing to work beside me as Deputy Public Advocate going forward.
Many of you don't know me yet and I hope that soon to change.
Previously I was the Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner and before that I've been a disability advocate, a lawyer, I've worked in developing countries with people with disability and I've worked with a range of systemic disability advocacy organisations across Australia.
As a blind person, I've been fortunate to have been supported to participate in all aspects of life, work, education and community.
Actively supporting disability inclusion is therefore something I'm passionate about because I know it makes our whole community better.
And this leads me to this year's International Day for People with Disability.
The International Day's theme this year is all about a disability inclusive society, the social progress.
And really what that means from my perspective is that disability inclusion is good for our whole society, people with disabilities and non-disabled alike.
And it's a good reminder that people with disabilities are not just service recipients and we're not just people to be protected.
We are leaders, innovators and contributors to all aspects of community.
Our voices strengthen us all right across society, and that's a big part of why I do this, because I'm passionate about participation for people with disabilities.
And a key part of participation or driver for participation is to ensure respect for people with disabilities and to ensure we actively include all people with disabilities in what we do.
And I include in that the people that OPA seeks to serve and the people whose human rights we seek to advocate for and often protect.
And it's a reminder that if inclusion is just a standard part of life, this unlocks the potential and the participation and potential of all society.
It's smarter and better for every single one of us.
So, I look forward to continuing that advocacy work and continuing that message with all of you.
And I look forward to meeting you and working with you over the coming years
Office of the Public Advocate
