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An actuary and University of Sydney professor who has advocated for better and more services for Australians with disabilities through decades of volunteer work has been recognised in the recently announced Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Richard Madden, co-director of the National Centre for Classification in Health and deputy chair of disability service provider House with No Steps, has been made member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the general division.
An advocate for Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Madden said it has been enormously satisfying to see changes come to fruition, including increased resources, greater choices and better services.
“People who had few choices now have some say in what services they want, and how they want those services delivered,” Madden said. "Putting those decisions into the hands of individuals makes them customers, not clients. It gives them better services but also delivers consumer sovereignty.”
Elayne Grace, Actuaries Institute chief executive, said Madden had been an active member of the institute's health practice committee and had been named Actuary of the Year in 2002.
“It is wonderful to see Richard recognised for a lifetime of achievement, in particular in the areas of health and welfare of both the indigenous and disability communities,” Grace said.
