People without Barriers award, Warsaw, Poland

In November 2007 Jane Cordell, First Secretary at the British Embassy in Warsaw, was the first foreign national to be presented with a ‘People without Barriers’ award. This prestigious national prize is awarded annually by the Polish Integracja magazine published by Poland’s largest NGO dealing with disability issues. Awards were presented at a gala ceremony held on 6 November 2007 in the Porczyński Gallery in Warsaw.

The prize reflects the professional and social achievements of disabled people who live in Poland. During the ceremony, the Chair of Integracja, Piotr Pawlowski said “The prize-winners have always been people without barriers. But the awards help publicise their achievements to inspire others”.

Jane Cordell, who is deaf, was given the award for her contribution to work for disabled people in Poland. "Her efforts facilitated numerous meetings and conferences which helped the Polish government to start to develop new disability rights legislation," the jury explained.

After receiving the award Jane argued that "Disabled people are an asset and add value in the job market even thought they are often regarded as a burden. They have to overcome major barriers in order to study, live independent lives and gain respect."

She added: "This means that even young people have experience of problem-solving. Disabled people often have to rely on others for support, which means they learn early on to trust people and to understand the value of teamwork and cooperation".

Jane, originally from Manchester, joined the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 2001 and has been working as a diplomat  at the British Embassy in Warsaw since 2006. She heads a team working on foreign policy, security policy, justice and home affairs and, human rights issues.

She previously worked as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language in Finland, Poland and London, and as an editor for Cambridge University Press and London University. She became profoundly deaf as a young adult.

The competition jury featured prominent Polish intellectuals and renowned public figures, including Maria Kaczyńska, the wife of the President of Poland, Ombudsman Janusz Kochanowski, Professor Antonina Ostrowska and Piotr Pawlowski.