Dame Cindy and Mrs Bridget Snedden, of Auckland, ONZM for services to people with learning disabilities
Bridget Snedden has been involved with supporting disabled people since the birth of her son with Down Syndrome in 1988. As a parent and committee member of the Auckland Down Syndrome Association, she advocated for children with Down syndrome to have the same opportunities and experiences as every other child. She was National Coordinator of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association. She was Centre Director of Parent and Family Resource Centre (now Disability Connect) and a Spectrum Care Board member. She is President of Down Syndrome International, having previously been Vice President and a Trustee and Board member. Mrs Snedden initiated the founding of Family Network NZ, a non-profit agency working alongside parents who have a family member with learning disabilities to create and lead inclusive and self-directed lives.