A project to help people with significant physical, cognitive and behavioural disabilities stay physically active is one of the winners of this year’s University of Queensland's Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards.
Dr Sean Tweedy, from the School of Human Movement Studies, won the $5000 Individual Award for his work with the Adapted Physical Activity Program.
The program allows students studying Clinical Exercise Sciences to deliver a community-based physical activity promotion service to people with acquired brain injury.
The money will be used to help students meet the transport costs associated with travelling to meet with their clients in their homes and local communities, an aspect of the program which Dr Tweedy believes is one of its hallmarks.
“Delivering the program in homes and communities, rather than hospitals or clinics, allows a much broader educational experience for the students,” Dr Tweedy said.
“It provides students the opportunity to gain a unique, personal insight into the effect that catastrophic injury has on the life of a person, their family and their living circumstances.
“This exposure to the lived experience of disability assists students to develop a broad, authentic understanding of the need for personal and community attitudes that foster equity and permit diversity.”
The winner of the $10,000 Group Award is AIESEC – The University of Queensland’s International Association of Students in Economics and Management.
AIESEC is an international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential to have a positive impact in society. Established in 1948 in France, the Association is represented in 94 countries and 800 universities.
The money will be used to help students, particularly those who are significantly financially disadvantaged, attend international AIESEC conferences as well as provide internships opportunities around the world.
The winners were honoured at the awards ceremony held at the UQ Centre tonight (May 19).
The awards were held on the final day of UQ’s fourth annual Diversity Week to recognise people who have improved diversity and equity at UQ.
The aim of the week is to increase the understanding of diversity, including of cultures, linguistic and religious diversity, disability, sexuality, gender, family and carer responsibilities, racism and Indigenous Australian history and culture.
Award winners were congratulated by guest speaker at the ceremony Perry Cross who, at age 19, broke his neck in a football accident and was left a quadriplegic.
Mr Cross shared his experiences on being one of the first quadriplegics in the world to attend university and gain a degree and what motivated him to keep striving for success.
UQ staged about 30 events during Diversity Week including public concerts, forums, lectures and tours at its St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses.
Media inquiries: Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (3365 2802 or 0433 364 181). Photos of the award winners are available by contacting Diana Lilley on 3365 2753 or email d.lilley@uq.edu.au
