Local Wins Prestigious Disability Services Award

Drouin resident Kim Barr’s outstanding dedication to creating opportunities for people with a disability has been recognised with a prestigious industry award.

The Leisure Breaks Respite Coordinator was presented with Scope’s highest honour, the Debbie Otto Award, at the Telstra Dome on Friday, November 7.

Leisure Breaks Respite, run by leading Victorian disability service provider Scope, supports people with disabilities in the Baw Baw and Latrobe districts.

Ms Barr joined Scope in 2001.

The Gippsland local won the award because of her enormous commitment to the growth, development and empowerment of people with a disability.

As well as being an exemplary role model for staff and clients, she has been proactive in seeking strategies to improve services.

Ms Barr said that working closely with clients and their families had been the driving force behind striving for extra services.

``I see where the shortfalls are and I try to understand what people with disabilities need,’’ Ms Barr said.

Ms Barr has developed a rich and varied range of activities and projects for people with a disability such as camps, community kitchens and a garden.

In all of these activities, the award winner consulted with the people using them to create positive and enjoyable opportunities to enhance the individuals’ quality of life, while providing respite for their families.

In response to family requests, Ms Barr helped secure an increase in respite placements, including the provision of after-school care.

Apart from supporting clients, Ms Barr works tirelessly with local councils and communities to challenge attitudes and uphold the rights of people with disabilities.

The Debbie Otto Award is presented in memory of a Scope Coordinator who died in 1997 at the young age of 34.

Ms Otto embodied all of the qualities that Scope values.