Nominations open for Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award

Australians are being encouraged to nominate outstanding Australian Disability Enterprises for a national award from today.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas today opened nominations for the Australian Disability Enterprise Excellence Award which recognises employers who offer meaningful work for people with significant disability while focusing on new and innovative business practices.

“Now in its fourth year, the Australian Disability Enterprise Excellence Award encourages and promotes the significant contribution that these enterprises make in improving the lives of people with disability,” Senator McLucas said.

“Australian Disability Enterprises provide important employment and training opportunities to people with disability, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity, in a professional and supportive environment.

“We know the benefits of having a job go well beyond a weekly pay packet; there are social benefits, like the boost to one’s confidence and the opportunity to make new friends.

“The award provides the opportunity to congratulate disability enterprises that are working hard to support people with disability in the community and are promoting social and economic inclusion for people with disability.

“It is important for the broader community to recognise those organisations within the community that go above and beyond.

“I encourage people to nominate successful disability enterprises.”

The Gillard Government values the role of Australian Disability Enterprises in employing 20,000 Australians with disability and helping them take part in economic life.

Earlier this year we released a ten year vision for the future of supported employment, which will be a framework to help Australian Disability Enterprises remain strong and sustainable through the transition to a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Australians are encouraged to nominate both small and large Australian Disability Enterprises for this prestigious award.

There will be one winner and two runners up in the 2012 Australian Disability Enterprise Excellence Award

Nominations for this year’s Award close on 28 July.

The recipients will be announced on 6 September 2012 at the National Disability Services Employment Forum, held at the Pan Pacific Perth.

For more information, visit http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/providers/AustralianDisabilityEnterprises/Pages/ade_awards.aspx