Nominations close soon for Victorian Disability Awards

The Victorian government is encouraging community members to nominate individuals, groups or organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability for the 2024 Victorian Disability Awards.

The awards are an initiative of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and recognise Victorians that champion disability rights, accessibility and inclusion, advocate for policy and service improvements and act as role models of disability pride in their communities and across the state.

“The Victorian Disability 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,” Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn said.

“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.”

This year, nominations can be made across four award categories. They are:

• Disability Pride Champion, awarded to an individual who embraces diversity, honours pride in unique identities, and advocates for representation of people with disability.
• Advocacy for People (including self-advocacy), awarded to a person, group or organisation that promotes disability rights, assists individuals with disability to speak up, and supports them to call for changes to make life more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
• Leadership in Co-design, awarded to an individual who has championed co-design and promoted its use, or to an individual, group or organisation that has used co-design with people with disability to enhance the lives of people with disability.
• Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to an individual with disability who has made a long-term commitment to championing disability rights and inclusion.

Award finalists will be announced in early November, with the awards ceremony to be held on December 3.

Past winners include Geelong legend, Heartbreak High star and disability rights advocate Chloé Hayden, who was named one of two Emerging Leaders at the 2022 awards in recognition for her advocacy work.

To nominate an individual or group for this year’s Victorian Disability Awards before nominations close on July 26, head to dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-disability-awards