Get To Know: Greg Killeen

Get To Know: Greg Killeen, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer, Policy & Advocacy, Spinal Cords Injuries Australia

Greg has been the NSW Taxi Council Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Subcommittee Consumer Representative for about 4 years. Greg also joined the recently formed NSW Taxi Council’s Disability Reference Group representing Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA). 

Greg’s role aims to keep the NSW Taxi Service the best it can be to meet the needs of customers with a disability as well as those of the taxi drivers.

Greg acquired a spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia and needs to use a power wheelchair. 
He also has a personal and professional interest to ensure all transport services are accessible, especially the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Service which Greg has been reliant on since they started 40 years ago – back in 1981.

​Greg is in his 30th year of working at SCIA where he started as an Information Officer, before being promoted to Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer 10 years ago.

Greg is also a member of government, non-government and community committees which help to influence policies and procedures that improve services for people with a disability.
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The committees cover the areas of transport, health, information, telecommunication, assistive technology, housing and the performing arts. Greg has also assisted with the disability awareness and access training of new drivers to the WAT service.

Greg’s father also drove Taxis for 30 years, so he has a broad understanding of the Taxi industry.

​1. How do you think your colleagues describe you?

That would depend on who you asked.

2. Do you have any skills or talents that others do not know about?

I can use a toothpick for my front teeth hands free by holding the toothpick with my lips.

3. Tell me your three pet peeves?

People without a disability using the designated parking spaces for people with a disability (even if the Mobility Parking Sticker is displayed).

Impatient drivers (mostly P platers) who overtake aggressively, who then ironically are awaiting at traffic lights on red.

Wheelchair accessible taxi (WAT) drivers who do not move the seats in Toyota Taragos to set up the WAT properly, especially drivers who claim they were not shown in training, but the instruction label warning is displayed.

4. What 3 words would describe you?

Determined - Talkative - Good-Humoured.

5. How do you want people to remember you?

As a man of principles; not afraid to pursue an issue to ensure it is addressed to benefit the community and willing to share my knowledge and/or information to help all people.

More in our March 2021 Issue here.