South Australia Police employee Deborah Pearce was among those honoured at a ceremony in Canberra last night announcing the 2017 National Disability Awards, according to SA Police.

Ms Pearce (pictured right), an administration manager with the South Coast Local Service Area, was a finalist in the Excellence in Education and Training category of the awards.

She was recognised for conducting a work placement-based administrative training and development program to support employment opportunities for those with disability, injury, health conditions or long-term unemployment.

Since 1999, she has trained more than 150 people living with disability to gain new skills, knowledge and experience to support future job seeking opportunities.

The majority of these people have been successful in gaining employment in both the public and private sectors, most notably with South Australia Police.

The winner in the category, announced last night to coincide with the International Day of People with Disability, was the University of Sydney—Centre Of Disability Studies, NSW.

The National Disability Awards are the Australian Government’s main celebration of International Day of People with Disability and aim to honour and recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, teams and organisations that have improved the lives of Australians with disability and contributed to increased recognition of equality and human rights for all Australians.

For more information about the awards, please visit: http://www.idpwd.com.au/awards/2017-national-disability-award-winners/