Call for nominations for 2011 ADE Excellence Awards

One of Australia’s 202 Disability Enterprises has the chance to take out top honours in the 2011 Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) Excellence Award.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, has called for nominations from the sector, which employs 20,000 people with disability nationwide.

The award aim to recognise outstanding disability enterprises for the work they do in providing meaningful work for people with disability who need substantial ongoing support to maintain their employment.

Senator McLucas said the ADE Excellence Award, now in its fourth year, encourages and promotes the significant contribution that these enterprises make in improving the lives of people with disability.

“A job provides more than just a pay packet – it gives dignity and purpose, provides security for the future and connects people to their community,” Senator McLucas said.

“The award provides the opportunity to recognise and 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.”

“I encourage people to nominate successful disability enterprises.”

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

She said disability enterprises make an important contribution to local communities and to the broader economy.

“Australian Disability Enterprises provide meaningful employment opportunities and support to people with disability, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity, in a professional and supportive environment,” Senator McLucas said.

“These enterprises give people with disability the opportunity to work. They provide jobs in industries such as catering, gardening, building and packaging.”

This year the ADE Excellence Award will acknowledge organisations providing best practice and innovative training opportunities, achieving strong wage outcomes, providing safe working conditions, social inclusion and participation for their employees and quality of service to people with disability.

The 2011 award has been streamlined to recognise one winner and two runners up.

The Gillard Government values the work of Australian Disability Enterprises and is committed to ensuring people with disability have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are developing a ten year vision for Australian Disability Enterprises and workers who need supported employment through to 2020 which will be released later this year.

Nominations for this year’s ADE Excellence Award close on 31 July. To nominate, visit www.fahcsia.gov.au.

The winners will be announced on 5 September.