The Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards have attracted record numbers of submissions this year. Tomorrow night the awards will be handed out to people and organisations that have worked to create better and more inclusive environments for people living with disability.
Congratulations to the winners.
Here’s the list.
“We received a record 63 nominations this year in the nine categories across business, government and in education and training, sports, the arts, tourism and hospitality,” BLITS Chair Graham Hambleton said.
“I think that reflects a community that is more mindful of people with disability and Canberra is to be applauded for that awareness and commitment to inclusion.”
The Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award for Excellence went to the ACT Council of Parent and Citizens Associations for initiatives that show great innovation in disability awareness and inclusion, with PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC Canberra taking out the Inclusion in Employment & Business Award and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House MoAD winning the Inclusion in Government Award.
The awards included two new categories in the Centenary Year: Wheel Out in the Capital basketball competition won the Most Inclusive Centenary Event and Huy Nguyen of Enable’ Development won the Emerging Young Leader Award.’
“The Inclusion Awards show that it is possible for any area of the community to become engaged in accessibility,” Mr Hambleton said. “And they don’t just do it for the accolades, but because they gain the community’s respect and that means the word spreads that you are a good organisation to do business with.”
A record number of people with disability will attend the Awards’ Gala Ceremony in The Great Hall, Parliament House, enjoying outstanding entertainment led by comedian and MC, Stella Young, singer Shawne Kirke and guest speaker Paul Nunnari.
The judges also awarded commendations to:
• Ruth Faragher Emerging Young Leader Award
• Ms Desley Rocks Margaret Spalding Award , and to the
• Nican Project Team for their Smartphone App Inclusion in Tourism& Hospitality Award.Inclusion in Employment & Business
Finalists:
YWCA of Canberra
Indigenous Community Volunteers
Scooters Australia Canberra/Guardian Mobility
Westfield Belconnen
Six Seeds Program
National Mailing & Marketing
Kippax Veterinary Hospital
Volunteering ACT Inc
Uniting Care Kippax
Communities@work Greenway Child Care and Education Centre
PricewaterhouseCoopers Canberra
Elizabeth Stone
Pilates CanberraThe winner of Inclusion in Employment & Business:
PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC Canberra is demonstrating good corporate leadership by creating employment opportunities for people with disability. PwC Canberra has strategically transformed their business from a conventional office space to an Activity Based Working model. This has created an environment that includes and encourages people with disability to work there and enabled all staff to work to their full potential.
Inclusion in Government
Finalists:
ACT Ambulance Service d David Foot and Jim Tierney
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
ACT Housing & Community Services
Capital Community Housing
ACT Health Directorate d Kelly LancsarThe winner of Inclusion in Government:
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House MoAD brings Australian democracy to life through a range of innovative exhibitions, tours and public programs.
Despite the limitations of its location in a heritage building, the Museum proactively solves barriers impeding access and has also implemented a comprehensive range of inclusion practices. These include establishing a Disability Reference Group to provide guidance and advice on current thinking, ideas, approaches and technologies that improve access and participation for people with disability.
Inclusion in Sports
Finalists:
Sporting Shooters Pistol Club
Majura Football Club
Mr Stephen Fagg
Deaf Advocacy, Sport & Recreation ACTThe winner of Inclusion in Sports:
Deaf Advocacy, Sport & Recreation ACT was founded in 2011 for the purpose of providing sport and recreation opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing residents in the ACT and its surrounds. Deaf Advocacy, Sport & Recreation ACT raise awareness of the issues of the Deaf and hearing impaired and have demonstrated great innovation and great drive in the huge range of events and activities they organise.
Inclusion in the Arts
Finalists:
Belconnen Community Service
Dream Team d Legs Dance Studio
Belconnen Arts CentreThe winner of Inclusion in the Arts:
Belconnen Arts Centre actively engages people with the arts across all sectors of the community. The Arts Centre provides arts activities and exhibitions that are accessible and engaging for participants and artists of all abilities. The Arts Centre continues to develop and deliver diverse and innovative programs that engage and inspire people with disability. In 2013 these included programs such as “Dance’for’People’with’Parkinson’s”’“Self