ACT Chief Minister's Inclusion Awards

The ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards are an annual acknowledgement and celebration of the outstanding achievements of people with disability who are leaders in community as well as the businesses, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to encourage, welcome and support people with disability in their workplace, business and community.

When assessing submissions, the Inclusion Awards Judging Panel award people with disability who are leaders in inclusion as well as the businesses, organisations and individuals who are outstanding – going above beyond their core business to create a more inclusive Canberra for people with disability.

There are 4 categories:

Category 1 – Recognising people with disability who are leaders in inclusion

Select this category if the nominee:

is a person with disability who is a leader in community
has made a difference in the community
is a role model for their community
demonstrates excellence and leadership
engages community to promote inclusion of people with disability.

The awards for this category are:

1.1 Emerging Young Leader

Recognises a person aged 16-35 years with disability who is an outstanding leader in their community.

1.2 Achievement in Inclusion

Recognises a person with disability who has over a long period of time (more than 10 years) made a significant personal contribution to creating an inclusive ACT community.

1.3 Excellence in Making Inclusion Happen

Recognises a person with disability who works to celebrate and enable people with disability to participate in the community and reach their full potential as equal and valued citizens.

Category 2 – Excellence and Innovation in community access and inclusion

Select this category if the nominee:

improves and promotes accessibility for people with disability
creates an environment that includes and values people with disability
demonstrates excellence in inclusion and promotes the benefits of inclusion to the whole community
demonstrates a commitment to embed inclusivity in everyday practice.

The awards for this category are:

2.1 Inclusion in Employment

Recognises a business, organisation or individual within the private or public sector that has provided inclusive and innovative employment practices.

2.2 Inclusion in Education and Training

Recognises an educational and training organisation or individual either within the private sector or government funded that has provided exceptional or innovative educational or training opportunities for people with disability.

2.3 Inclusion in Business

Recognises a business that has delivered exceptional or innovative services and facilities that empower and include people with disability and celebrate their contribution to the community.

2.4 Excellence in Innovation, Design and Access

Recognises an organisation, team or individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to accessibility or innovation in design* to create greater inclusion for people with disability.

(*Design encompasses inclusive design in the areas of art, building, architecture, landscape architecture, information technology, equipment and craft, or designing system or processes).

Category 3 – Achieving inclusion through supporting the independence and wellbeing of people with disability

Select this category if the nominee:

demonstrates excellence in supporting people with disability, above and beyond their core duties and the national standards
engages community to promote inclusion of people with disability
expands opportunities for people with disability
enables and empowers people with disability to achieve their full potential as equal citizens.

The awards for this category are:

3.1 Excellence in Inclusive Services and Disability Support

Recognises an organisation who has demonstrated excellence in providing services that promote inclusion, and respond to the needs and aspirations of people with disability.

3.2 Excellence in Volunteer Support

Recognises an individual volunteer who supports people with disability who has shown outstanding dedication to empowering people with disability to increase their independence, enhance belonging in community and achieve goals.

3.3 Excellence in Support Work

Recognises an individual support worker who has shown outstanding dedication to empowering people with disability to increase their independence, enhance belonging in community and achieve goals.

3.4 Lifetime Achievement in Supporting People with Disability

Recognises a person that has over a long period of time (more than 10 years) shown innovation and leadership in supporting people with disability to increase their independence, enhance belonging in community and achieve goals.

Category 4 – Championing Rights, Protection and Justice

Select this category if the nominee:

increases access to justice for people with disability
promotes awareness of disability rights
demonstrates excellence and innovation in the achievement of just outcomes for people with disability.

The award for this category is:

4.1 Sue Salthouse Award for Excellence in Championing Human Rights and Equality

This award honours the late Sue Salthouse, in recognising an individual, organisation or service who demonstrate excellence in the promotion and fulfilment of human rights for people with disability.

The overarching Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award for Excellence

(selected from the winners of the above awards)