Nominations sought for disability awards

A CALL-out has been issued for nominations for the 2024 Victorian Disability Awards, encouraging people to put forward individuals, groups and organisations they believe successfully champion the rights of people with disability.

The four categories of the awards for this year are Disability Pride Champion, Advocacy for People (including Self-Advocacy), Leadership in Co-design and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Disability Pride Champion award recognises a person who honours pride in unique identity and embraces diversity and advocates for representation of people with disability and strengthens their voice.

The Advocacy for People award pays tribute to a person, group or organisation that promotes disability rights, voice and representation and directly assists individuals with disability to speak up for their rights, while the Leadership in Co-design award champions a person, group or organisation that works with other stakeholders in the design of products, services, systems, policies, laws and research.

Lizzie Blandthorn, Victoria’s Minister for Disability, said the awards are a chance to “recognise and celebrate the fantastic contributions of people and groups who work to make this state a more inclusive and accessible place for people living with disability.”

“We want to hear from the community about the individuals, groups and organisations that are working to promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability,” she said.

Midnight on Friday 19 July is the deadline for nominations (which can be made on the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website), with the Awards Ceremony due to be held on Tuesday 3 December.

Visit dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-disability-awards.