Woman who served blind community for over two decades honoured at Attitude Awards

The Attitude Awards, which is in its 11th year, honoured a woman who’s been serving the blind community for more than 20 years.

A woman who's been serving the blind community for more than 20 years has been named Supreme Winner at the Attitude Awards.

Martine Abel-Williamson, who is blind, is an advocate, lecturer and policy advisor for New Zealand's disability sector.

She's been Treasurer of the World Blind Union, Chair of the Auckland Disability Law Centre, Vice President of Blind Citizens New Zealand and Lead of the Asia Pacific Regional UN Advocacy Network.

Ms Abel-Williamson is also on panels for agencies including ACC and is proud to have written the New Zealand world-leading policy on the safe design of shared spaces where pedestrians and cars share the road.

On accepting the award, the 47-year-old said, "I came here tonight because I was nominated, but I'm so inspired by everybody's stories and what they’ve done and actually just want to thank everybody else".

Ms Abel-Williamson also received a Queen's Service Medal earlier this year for services to people with disabilities.

The Attitude Awards, which is in its 11th year, honours the achievements of New Zealanders living with disabilities.

Australian singer Rachael Leahcar, who is blind, was the headline act for the awards.

"I'm really honoured, as a person who's legally blind myself - it's just a really nice feeling to be up there amongst all these really inspirational people," Ms Leahcar told 1 NEWS.

"I hate using that word 'inspiration', 'cause I hear it so much but it really is true."

Her career began after she came third on season one of The Voice Australia, six years ago.

She was signed on with Universal Music following that success.

"I've had a couple of trips to Italy, sung with Andrea Bocelli’s orchestra over there [and] I've released a few albums," she said.

Her opening performance for the awards was a cover of This is Me, from the blockbuster film The Greatest Showman.

Kiwi actor Sam Humphrey, who featured in the film, joined in.

He was also co-host of the awards, along with 1 NEWS' Simon Dallow.

The highlights of the awards will be televised on TVNZ 1 on Sunday morning.

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