Spotlight on Robert Altamore – 2018 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards

Robert Altamore received the Achievement in Inclusion Award at 2018 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards, acknowledging his long history of contributing to the representation of people with disability in the ACT and Australia.  

Robert Altamore OAM is a person with disability and a carer who, following a career in law and the public service, has worked for nine years as Executive Officer of People With Disabilities ACT (PWD ACT).  Robert is a leader in inclusion of people with disability, and an advocate for disability rights and better accessibility in the ACT.

Robert’s involvement in various organisations within the community sector, including the Committee of the Canberra Blind Society, the Radio 1RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped) Committee and the ACT Disability Advisory Council, has enabled him to build connections and gain invaluable knowledge in the disability space. He has been dedicated to advocating for inclusion for over 35 years in the Canberra community.

“There's a lot of work to be done to make Canberra the liveable city that it really promises to be and could be for us.”

October 2017  -  ABC Radio Canberra - Robert Altamore: the disability campaigner (Capital Change: the 25 Year Itch)

"Some participants are getting better outcomes than others, and that is directly attributable to the quality of planning and quality of advocacy they get," he said."If you don't know what's there you can't get it."

May 2015 - Canberra Times - Disability advocates call for funds to explain NDIS

''Once you acquire a disability you're still the same worker, you've still got the same strength that got you to that position, you still have the same qualities,'' he said. [a colleague and friend] just had to leave that agency, because they couldn't cope with his acquired disability. He didn't want to leave, of course,''

December 2013 - Canberra Times - Disabled find public service 'too hostile'

''We are also asking people in the broader community to consider the impact of parking in a disabled space without a permit.'Their actions might mean that a person with a disability can't keep a medical appointment, can't do their shopping, or can't meet a business appointment.''

February 2012 - Canberra Times - Crackdown catches increase in disabled parking misuse

''It's really dangerous to make assumptions. A lot of disabilities aren't obvious. Just because someone gets out of the car and they don't appear to have a disability, does not mean they are not disabled.''

November 2012 - Canberra Times - Public urged against hasty diagnosis of those using disability spaces

''This makes it even more urgent for the ACT to implement the roll-out of programs to equip people with disabilities with the skills they need to make decisions and choices and manage their own funds and services,''

July 2012 - Canberra Times - Insurance scheme trial welcomed in ACT