Social Inclusion Award

June 2010 | Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

The 2010 National Disability Awards are open and calling for nominations in the Social Inclusion Award category.

School and community groups are the lifeblood of many Australian suburbs and towns, playing a pivotal role in encouraging participation and inclusion of people from all walks of life.

These groups as well as the individuals in them are encouraged to nominate for the 2010 National Disability Awards. The Social Inclusion Award – with subcategories for both schools and community groups – recognise the outstanding achievements of the many groups and individuals in our society.

The 2009 Social Inclusion Award winner was Melissa Noonan of Doncaster in Melbourne. Melissa co-founded Limbs 4 Life, a not for profit organisation which provides information, knowledge and support to amputees within the community, with the aim of preventing isolation caused by the disability.

On being presented with the Award, Melissa said, "This for me is obviously a passion close to my heart. If we can get the majority of amputees who lose limbs or who are born without limbs back into the community and participating in every day life as best as they can, then we will be much more the richer."'

Other categories include the Minister's Lifelong Achievement, Young Disability Challenge, Accessible Housing, Local Government and the Business Award.

Two finalists of the Social Inclusion Award along with the finalists in other categories will be invited to the Awards ceremony in Canberra on 23 November where the recipients of each category will be announced.

Entering the Awards is easy. Download a nomination form and guidelines or call 1800 440 385 to order hard copies.

Nominations close at 5pm AEST, Friday, 16 July 2010.

Show your support for the Awards and International Day of People with Disability by becoming a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/idpwd or following IDPWD on Twitter at www.twitter.com/idpwd.