The ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in our community and acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Canberra businesses, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to encourage, welcome and support people with disability in their workplace, business and community.
The Awards align with International Day of People with Disability celebrations on 3 December and acknowledge inclusive leaders across four categories:
• Recognising people with disability who are leaders in inclusion
• Excellence and innovation in community access and inclusion
• Achieving inclusion through supporting the independence and wellbeing of people with disability
• Championing rights protection and justice
An overarching Award for Excellence is then selected from award recipients.
The 2022 awards were announced at a gala night at the National Ballroom at Hotel Realm on Wednesday 7 December 2022.
The 80 finalists across four award categories beautifully illustrates that so many Canberrans are demonstrating their commitment to welcome, encourage and support people with disability in our community.
The 2022 winners are:
2022 Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence
Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic
The Judging panel unanimously voted the Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic as the winner of the Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence because of the sheer impact of the Clinic, enabling so many Canberran’s with disability and their families to be vaccinated. As the only clinic of its kind in Australia, the judging panel agreed the Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic was an outstanding example of Government and community working together in a critical time to deliver an essential service in an accessible and inclusive space that benefitted a great many people.
Emerging Young Leader
Charlotte Bailey
Charlotte Bailey is a 21-year-old receptionist, barista, waitress, netball playing, karaoke enthusiast, who is a fierce advocate for people with intellectual disability.
Charlotte co-presents workshops for employers and people with disability as well as attending local, national, and international forums to publicly speak about inclusion and inclusive employment. Earlier this year, Charlotte addressed the United Nations on World Down Syndrome Day where she spoke about her vision for Inclusion in Australia.
Charlotte believes that everyone has the right to meaningful employment, award wages, social inclusion and full and inclusive access to education, housing and healthcare.
Achievement in Inclusion
Laisarn Leong
Laisarn is the only Deaf Teacher for the Deaf in ACT. Growing up profoundly deaf, Laisarn encountered numerous barriers achieving educational success. As a teacher for deaf children since 1991, Laisarn has been an ardent champion to ensure deaf children in ACT receive early education and socialisation. She works directly with schools, teachers and invests extra time in building trusting relationships with families so deaf students feel accepted, respected, and valued.
Excellence in Making Inclusion Happen
Megan Munro
Megan produced the first project of its kind featuring cast and crew of 100% LGBTIQA+ & people with disability. The project launched in 2020 and had 50 participants.
Megan provided opportunities, held space for and mentored all people involved, ensuring they were able to perform in a safe space and explore their creativity.
Inclusion in Employment
The Brate Group
The Brate Group is a family owned business that has 4 McDonalds franchises in Canberra. The owners Brad and Kate have a son with disability and are passionate about inclusion, and wanted to be part of the employment solution.
The Brate Group have increased their roles to include more neurodiverse staff, who are supported every step of the way to ensure they are confident to work independently. Reasonable adjustments are easily made and many staff have completed retail traineeships within the organisation.
Inclusion in Education and Training
Bus Stop Films
Bus Stops Films uses film studies education, filmmaking and the film industry to change community attitudes globally around the rights and contribution to society of and by people with disability.
In operation since 2009, they’ve delivered their award-winning Accessible Film Studies Program in Canberra for the past three years.
Bus Stop Films produces amazing films. With now over 50 short films made, winning more than 95 awards and screening to an audience of over 45 million people, they are champions of inclusion in film education.
Inclusion in Business
Winner:
Jonathan Laloz
Jonathan has his own business called Self Plus Plus. Jonathan identifies as a man with Autism and uses his personal experience to assist people with disability overcome barriers to achieving their goals and the life they want to live.
Jonathon has created several programs to assist people with disability gain communication, employment and life skills in conjunction with other professionals. Jonathon is passionate about employing people with disability. This is because he believes people can then in turn use their lived experience to help others with disability, enabling everyone to achieve their goals and feel valued.
Excellence in Innovation, Design, and Access
ACT Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic
The ACT Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic was co-designed with the Canberra community including people with disability. The Clinic is available to anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment, additional space, longer appointment time, or requires carer assistance. Carers are also able to receive their COVID vaccination when accompanying the person they care for.
As the only clinic of its kind in Australia, the judging panel agreed the Access and Sensory Vaccination Clinic was an outstanding example of Government and community working together in a critical time to deliver an essential service in an accessible and inclusive space.
Excellence in Inclusive Services and Disability Support
Winner:
Alchemy Chorus
Alchemy Chorus was founded in Canberra by Brian Triglone in 2016 and supports those living with dementia and their carers. At its peak, it has had over 100 participants, throughout COVID, it supported its members via zoom, and is now gradually returning to in-person sessions, adapting these as COVID peaks and wanes.
Brian conducts the Chorus, with weekly practice sessions and provides opportunities for solos and duets. Volunteers provide musical accompaniment, manage logistics and importantly, morning tea. The Chorus also performs concerts for family, friends and the broader community.
Excellence in Volunteer Support
Fiona Jarvis
Fiona Jarvis is the founder of Abilities Unlimited Australia, formerly known as Cyclabilities. It is a not-for-profit and largely volunteer powered organisation first conceived by Ms Jarvis and some of her colleagues in 2015. Abilities Unlimited Australia runs family and community based allied therapy programs, and its mission is to provide quality learning opportunities and support for children with disabilityto actively and meaningfully participate in recreational activities and community sport.
Excellence in Support Work
Winner:
Adam Robinson
Adam Robinson is a committed support worker who embodies the true definition of providing support to another person as a Hartley Lifecare co-resident. Adam lives with Jackson, a young man with intellectual disability, and has been working with and sharing a house with Jackson for nearly 10 years. Adam always looks to advocate for Jackson, find ways to assist Jackson live his best life and take part in interesting and valuable community activities. Adam is diligent, innovative, inclusive, responsible and steadfast. During these past nearly 10 years he has supported Jackson to lead a superb life of interest, social inclusion, happiness, respect and dignity.
Sue Salthouse Award For Championing Human Rights and Equality
ACT Intermediary Program Team
The work undertaken by The ACT Intermediary Program Team provides intermediaries to the criminal justice system so that vulnerable witnesses, such as children and adults with disability, can give evidence to the police and in Court. ACT Witness Intermediary Program Team have been instrumental in developing the program and the intermediaries themselves to ensure a highly trained and skilled workforce, to ensure everyone has access to justice.
The program has achieved excellent outcomes for people with disability, through its innovative and inclusive design which ensures witnesses can effectively communicate their evidence. In 2020 alone, the highly productive intermediary program team responded to 154 police referrals and 29 court referrals with those numbers continuing to grow. The match rate for intermediaries to referrals remains at a constant 100%.