Despite the challenges of 2020, the year also highlighted many outstanding examples of inclusion and leadership by Victorians with disability, community groups and the disability sector in response to coronavirus and the bushfires.

Victorians are encouraged to help recognise these achievements over the past 18 months in this year’s awards.

Nominations are open to individuals and groups – including people with disability, family members, volunteers and people working in the sector – in seven categories:

• emerging leader award
• excellence in creating inclusive communities
• excellence in employment outcomes
• excellence in promoting health, housing and wellbeing
• excellence in promoting rights, fairness and safety
• volunteer award
• lifetime achievement honour roll.

Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan will select the winner of the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Leadership.

In 2019, Indigenous athlete Elise Muller won the Emerging Leader Award for her dedication to creating greater understanding of autism and inclusion in sport.

The awards also recognised the Voice at the Table initiative for increasing representation of people with disability on boards and committees, and the Find Your Voice All Abilities Choir from Victoria’s south west.

Nominations are open until Sunday 4 April, and can be made at dhhs.vic.gov.au/disabilityawards.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in July.