Highly awarded disability advocate Sue Salthouse has died after a collision between her wheelchair-accessible motorcycle and a car in Canberra yesterday afternoon (20 July 2020).
Sue, aged 71, was left with a broken back and wheelchair bound after a horse riding accident in 1995.
Following the accident, she has advocated for the inclusion of people with disability in society.
Awarded advocate
Sue has been awarded several honours for her work:
- In 2010 she received the Edna Award for community activism;
- 2011 Inclusion Award in recognition of working towards an inclusive attitude for people whatever their disability;
- 2014 named ACT Senior Woman of the Year in 2014;
- 2015 Canberra Citizen of the Year;
- 2017 she won the Lesley Hall Leadership Award at the National Disability Awards; and
- This year she was named ACT’s Senior Australian of the Year.
She was also co-chair of the ACT Disability Expert Panel advising on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, influenced the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and between 2009-2012 was president of Women with Disabilities Australia.
ACT Policing say the accident occurred on Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
She was treated at the scene by ACT Ambulance Service Paramedics before being transported to hospital where she later died.
Our sincere condolences to her family, friends and associates.
Police are investigating and are calling for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.