Eileen Baldry appointed to Disability Council

The Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at UNSW, Professor Eileen Baldry, has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Disability Council NSW.

Professor Baldry, a Professor of Criminology in the School of Social Sciences, is an esteemed researcher in the areas of criminology, social policy and social work. She was recently named one of UNSW’s 15 women changing our world.

The Disability Council provides independent advice on matters that affect people with disability in NSW, and their families and carers.

Professor Baldry, one of 10 new appointments to the Council, said it would have a crucial role in advising the Minister and the NSW government on disability matters as NSW transitions over the next two years to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

“The new council will have an unprecedented opportunity in this period of rapid growth and development in disability services and support to focus on the rights of people with disability to live well, inclusive and fulfilling lives in their communities,” she said.

Announcing the appointments, Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka said advice and representations made by the Council had been invaluable to further the inclusion of people with disability in the community.

“In keeping with this year’s theme - ‘Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities’ – I encourage everyone to think about how they can act inclusively so people with disability have the opportunity to live life their way,” Mr Ajaka said.

Since joining UNSW in 1993, Professor Baldry has built an impressive portfolio across research and teaching. Her work and publications focus on social justice matters and include mental health and cognitive disability in the criminal justice system; education, training and employment for prisoners and ex-prisoners; homelessness and transition from prison; Indigenous social work; community development and social housing; and disability services.