The Treasurer for the World Blind Union, Ms. Martine Abel-Williamson of New Zealand, has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, 2018. She has been recognised for her work as an advocate, lecturer, policy advisor, and service coordinator for New Zealand’s disability sector for 22 years.
"This recognition came as a total surprise for me and I am humbled by people’s generosity. I simply love working in the disability field where I’m surrounded by so many others who are inspiring me and from who I’m learning every day", says Ms. Abel-Williamson.
The World Blind Union is proud of Ms. Abel-Williamson's commitment to the rights of persons with visual disabilities and congratulates her upon this significant achievement.
Ms. Abel-Williamson is the Treasurer for the World Blind Union since 2016. She has served on the WBU Asia-Pacific Board and Policy Council since 2007 where she maintained several roles; with the women’s committee, UNCRPD Network, UN Advocacy Co-ordination committee and as WBU Executive Member.
Ms. Abel-Williamson also led the WBU Strategic Objective working group on Access to the Environment and Transport for four years, focusing on developing the WBU position statement on Shared Spaces, highlighting on issues on quiet vehicles, updating WBU’s policy on universal and barrier free design and collating information and recommendations on access to international travel.
In addition, she is on the Board of Blind Citizens, a major blindness advocacy organisation in New Zealand.