Kevin Cocks AM D.Univ

Kevin Cocks AM D.Univ is a well-respected champion of human rights. He has dedicated himself to pushing for an inclusive, accessible and diverse Queensland through legislative and policy reform and State-wide advocacy. Until recently, he was the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. In February 2018, his term of appointment came to an end as Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, but he will now continue to push for evidence-based reform through his important role as Patron of The Hopkins Centre.

Kevin has pursued a lifelong fight for the rights of people with a disability, and has always been an inspiring advocate and role model. As a young man, Kevin sustained a C6 complete quadriplegia in a sporting accident. Through his personal experiences, he brought a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the role of Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, where he focused on protecting the principles of dignity and equality for everyone. Before he was appointed as Commissioner in February 2011, he used his passion to advance the work of Queensland Advocacy Incorporated, a legal advocacy organisation dedicated to protecting the human rights and fundamental needs of people with a disability in Queensland. One of his most notable achievements was in 1993 when Kevin successfully fought the State Government in court to have an accessible lift installed at the front of the Brisbane Convention Centre. Kevin also worked with Spinal Life Australia in launching the annual Robert Jones Oration event in memory of the late disability advocate. This event continues to drive important conversation around accessibility, a topic that must never fall off the national agenda.

Kevin's outstanding contribution to the reform and development of professional disability services in Queensland and nationally was recognised in 2003 with the award of a Centenary Medal for service to the Australian community. In 2005 he received an Australian Human Rights medal from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for his dedication to disability rights. Then in 2010, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his contribution to making Queensland a better place for people with a disability, as an advocate for the promotion and protection of individual human rights, and as a contributor to the reform and development of disability services.

Read more about Kevin, the Ambassador council and citizen-led research here

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