Nominations Open for National Disability Awards
4 August 2015 at 11:58 am
The 2015 National Disability Awards are open for nomination – giving Australians the chance to acknowledge the people, organisations and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of people with disability.
Now in their ninth year, the Federal Government said the Awards help build awareness of disability issues and showcase important work throughout the community, enabling people to fully participate in work and society.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield said he encourages people to put forward a person, organisation or initiative in their community that deserves recognition.
“This year we are looking for nominations that demonstrate great community initiatives,” he said.
Awards will be presented in six categories:
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Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
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Emerging Leader in Disability Awareness
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Excellence in Accessibility – Technology
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Excellence in Accessibility – Community
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Excellence in Choice and Control in Service Delivery
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Excellence in Advocacy
In 2014 a former lift attendant and a rugby league enthusiast, struck down by polio at the age of fourteen won the major award at the annual 2014 National Disability Awards.
Bill Bradly from Hornsby in NSW was awarded the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability for his outstanding commitment and achievement to volunteer community work over his lifetime.
The award cited Bradly, aged 79, as working and living with significant disabilities himself and as being a leader and role model reaching out to create opportunities for other people with disability to actively engage in community life, particularly in a range of inclusive sports.
The Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability is in honor of disability advocate Lesley Hall who died suddenly in October 2013, who had been Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.
To nominate for the National Disability Awards, go to www.idpwd.com.au or call 1800 672 682. TTY users please call 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 672 682.
Nominations for the National Disability Awards close on 4 September 2015.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Great Hall, Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 25 November.
The Awards are part of the Federal Government’s celebrations of the International Day of People with Disability on 3 December.
