His tireless work for the Rights of Disabled Persons could earn Wanganui man Robert Martin a nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.
A national meeting of heads of New Zealand organisations for the disabled, led by Human Rights Commission chief executive David Rutherford and the Disability Commissioner Paul Gibson, willbe held later this year to discuss putting forward that nomination.
Mr Martin said yesterday he had met with the commissioners recently in Wellington and they told him what they planned to do and asked if he was happy about it.
"I didn't know what to think really. It's amazing, it really is, but it's what I do. I believe in justice for all and I have also had wonderful people helping me."
He has spoken all over the world on rights for the disabled since the mid-90s and has been a keynote speaker at several international conferences.
Mr Martin led the development of the modern self-advocacy movement and from 2003 to 2006 he was involved with the drafting of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In 2008 after the Disabled Convention was ratified in New Zealand he was invited to speak at the United Nations where he headed a sub-committee and delivered a keynote speech to hundreds of medical and and business professionals in New York.
His work was recognised by the New Zealand Government in 2008 and he was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He was also awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary in the United States.
Mr Martin's own early life was spent in institutions until he was finally released at 15 to return to Wanganui and work on an IHC farm.
Former IHC social worker at that time Alison Campbell saw huge potential in Mr Martin.
What happened to Robert would never ever happen in this day and age, she said.
"Robert is a leader. In those early days he was constantly in trouble because he was permanently frustrated and angry at the way they were treated.
"I am so proud of him, he is an international crusader who cares very deeply for people. How I would love to see him honoured with Nobel Peace Prize ... it would be perfect."
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was the first human rights convention of the 21st century.
New Zealand signed the Convention on March 30, 2007 and ratified it in September 2008.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities gives voice, visibility and legitimacy to disabled people in New Zealand.
