2011 Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award: One week left to nominate

Time is running out to nominate one of 202 Australian Disability Enterprises for the 2011 Excellence Award which recognises the significant contribution that these organisations make in improving the lives of people with disability.

Visiting Fairhaven Service, an Australian Disability Enterprise on the New South Wales Central Coast today, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, said there is one week remaining to nominate.

“If you know of a Disability Enterprise that has made a significant contribution in ensuring that people with disability participate in work to their full potential, tell us about it by nominating them for the Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award 2011,” Senator McLucas said.

The Award also acknowledges the dual focus of Australian Disability Enterprises as commercial businesses providing high quality supported employment to people with disability.

Australian Disability Enterprises are competitive businesses, partly funded by the Australian Government, employing around 20,000 people with moderate to severe disability across Australia.

“It is important for the broader community to recognise those organisations within the community that go above and beyond. The annual award, now in its fourth year, provides an opportunity to congratulate and thank Australian Disability Enterprises for their ongoing commitment to ensuring people with disability have the chance to reach their potential.”

Senator McLucas also welcomed QANTAS to the 2011 award.

“QANTAS has generously donated $10,000 worth of prizes for this year’s Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award. This is a great contribution to this important annual event.”

“I encourage people to nominate successful Disability Enterprises.”

The closing date is Friday 5 August 2011.

Nomination guidelines are available from www.fahcsia.gov.au

The Award will be presented to one winner and two runners-up on 5 September 2011 at the National Disability Services Employment Forum, held at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney.