The ACT Inclusion Council is a Canberra group of business, government and community leaders that work in partnership with the community to develop initiatives that value and engage people with disability as customers, suppliers, employees and employers in business.
It is the conduit between business and government, supporting new and innovative projects and events that showcase business opportunities in the disability sector and create employment opportunities for people with disability.
The ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in our community and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of business, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to encourage, welcome and support people with disability in their workplace, business and community.
Nominations for the 2023 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards are now closed.
The winners of the 2023 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Hotel Realm on Wednesday 6 December 2023. Get your tickets here
The 2022 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards were celebrated at a gala dinner at the Hotel Realm on Wednesday 7 December 2022.
You can view all the 2022 ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards finalists on the 2022 Inclusion Awards page as well as read about all the winners achievements. A video with highlights of the awards night and event photos can also be viewed on the 2022 Inclusion Awards Photos page.
2021 Stories of Inclusion across Canberra
Given the impacts of the COVID-19 Health Emergency, the 2021 Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards was not able to be held.
In lieu of an awards event to celebrate the inclusion, support and engagement of people with disability we released of a series of videos, each with a specific theme which aligns with Inclusion Awards categories and highlight great examples of progress make toward better inclusion in our community.
The videos focus on celebrating the good and positive stories which have emerged since the beginning of the COVID-19 Health Emergency. Celebrating inclusion in our community rather than awarding individuals and organisations.
The Chief Minister’s message and the Inclusion and Employment video were released on I-Day 2021.
The Inclusion in Housing video looks at how easy it can be to create accessible and livable housing.
The Inclusion in Government Health Services video highlights the establishment of Canberra’s Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic which is available to anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment, additional space, longer appointment time, or requires carer assistance, including people with disability, people with mobility limitations and people with mental health conditions.
The Inclusion in Business video looks at how businesses in Canberra have risen to the challenge during the pandemic to provide inclusive access and services – such as working from home technology, contactless delivery, and telehealth appointments.
There’s a video highlighting Canberra justice organisations who are working to ensure their services are inclusive and accessible so people with disability have equal access to justice.
Plus a video highlighting disability providers, carers and support workers who supported vulnerable members of the ACT community during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the lockdown in the second half of last year.
And finally there’s a beautiful tribute to the late Sue Salthouse.
To celebrate and acknowledge the individuals, organisations and businesses nominated in 2021, a series of social media posts have been released via Involved FaceBook.
The posts highlight the achievements of people who were nominated and their stories have been collated here on the Involved website.
We hope you enjoy these stories of inclusion happening across Canberra.
The Inclusion Awards were also not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Health Emergency.
However the 2019 Inclusion Awards were announced at a gala night at the Great Hall, Parliament House on Thursday 5 December 2019 View the 2019 finalists
For the full list of past nominees and recipients view 2018 Finalists, the 2018 Winners and Commendations, the 2017 Finalists and the 2017 Winners and Commendations.
You can also see photos from the gala celebrations of the 2019 ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards as well as for: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018