The ABC’s Nas Campanella has been named Disability Confident Changemaker of the year at the Australian Network on Disability’s inaugural Disability Confidence Awards.
The AND is an employer-led national not-for-profit that helps organisations engage with people with disability. Its awards, announced in Melbourne on Wednesday 8 June, celebrated the organisations and individuals who have shown commitment to disability confidence in 2022.
Campanella started her career at the ABC as a cadet journalist in Sydney in 2011 before working as a regional reporter in Bega, NSW. She then spent seven years working as a newsreader, reporter and senior producer for triple j and other ABC platforms.
In 2020 she was named the ABC’s first disability affairs reporter, covering issues relevant to the disability community. She has also undertaken projects with ABC International Development, running initiatives for people living with disability across the Pacific.
Accepting her award, Nas said “When I started at the ABC, I was one of the only people with a disability working, not only in news but across the broadcaster. And, although I was incredibly proud to be there, I knew that there was change that needed to occur.
I’m incredibly proud that now we not only have an (Employee Network Group) we have (employee representation targets) for people with disability.”
“My role is all about changing perception and making the lives of the 4.4 million with disability better. And that’s what drives me every day of my life.”
ABC Inclusive Chair Megan Spindler-Smith said: “Nas has been the driver behind increasing not only the visibility of people with disability at the ABC, but also creating a safe space for many of us — including myself — to share and speak openly about our lived experience of disability.
“Her leadership and impact on our audiences and the future of inclusivity has created a path for many talented content makers with disability to be visible and succeed at the ABC and beyond. I know that ABC Inclusive would not exist without her and this award is beyond well deserved.”
The ABC is committed to fostering an inclusive organisation that represents the diversity of our audience. The ABC’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2019-22 provides a three-year strategic roadmap to help the ABC develop an inclusive culture throughout the Corporation and in our content and services.
Media contact
Laura Todd, ABC Communications
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