A CANNINGTON advocate working for the rights of multicultural people with disabilities has been named a People of Australia ambassador.
Zeliha Iscel said earning the role was recognition of her work with Turkish Australian Cultural House and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance.
She said her roles in the organisations centred on building better understanding within communities about people with disabilities.
“There are still a lot of negative attitudes towards disabilities among people from migrant backgrounds, not to say this isn’t experienced in general society, but it seems to be stronger in migrant communities,” she said.
“In my role, we try to improve this and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities from non-English speaking backgrounds.”
Ms Iscel said connecting with the communities could be challenging, but she hoped her radio program EthnicAbility on 6EBA had helped.
The program, started by Ms Iscel in 2006, covers issues affecting people with disabilities, their carers and families.
“I think it is playing an important role, I’ve been doing it for six years now and I can see the difference,” she said.
“For example, I spoke to FESA last night and since the first time I spoke to them they have improved their procedures.
“The first time I interviewed them their emergency procedure was in PDF format and even I, the interviewer, could not read it because I’m blind. But each time I interview them they are getting better and better.”
Ms Iscel said she would use her role as ambassador to continue advocating for the rights of people with disabilities from multicultural backgrounds.
She was one of 40 people in Australia to earn the 2012 title.