Annually, the NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards formally recognise and reward excellence and innovation demonstrated by community-based, non-government organisations and individuals who make a difference in the lives of people with disability. There are eight categories in the Awards program. 

Here are this year's winners in the different categories:

Minister’s Award for Excellence

Lifestart

The winner was selected from the winners across all other categories as best demonstrating the commitment, creativity, ability to adapt and outcome-focus that is integral to innovation.

With finalists in three categories this year, Lifestart has shown excellent initiative with several outstanding projects. It is for this reason that Lifestart was awarded the Minister's Award for Excellence as a whole organisation in recognition of its continued commitment to improving outcomes for people with disability.

Excellence in Indigenous programs

Thomas Butler

Thomas Butler is an Aboriginal Elder who has developed a culture group, mentorship and support program with The Disability Trust, specifically designed for young Indigenous men with disability. Utilising a blend of modern and traditional tools and techniques, Thomas assists the young men to develop their everyday life-skills, as well as providing education about their culture, language and health.

Excellence in promoting cultural competency

Northcott

Northcott’s Cultural Diversity Competency Framework is adaptable and sustainable, and meets the needs and preferences of not only CALD people with disability, but their families and carers, as well as of service providers. The project was a critical initiative in building the capacity of the disability sector to work with a diverse workforce and client population in the transition to a person-centred service system and the NDIS. The tools developed include video case studies, self-reflection questionnaires and self-assessment elements.

Leadership in community accessibility and inclusion

Centre for Disability Studies, University of Sydney

The Centre for Disability Studies designed, planned and implemented ‘uni 2 beyond’, an Inclusive Education Program at the University of Sydney incorporating vocational pathways through internships and links to corporate Australia. To date, uni 2 beyond has supported 23 students with intellectual disability to fulfil their dream of attending university across nine of the 16 faculties and has involved close to 100 peer mentors.

Excellence in person-centred service provision

Damon Taylor

Damon is a nurse, mother and carer of her 10-year-old son with severe cerebral palsy. Damon designed the ‘Care for Me’ app as a way of storing several types of care information in one place. The app assists in recording and monitoring behavioural, educational and other changes, via text or video. he app remains unique to date and it increases collaboration between service providers and families by ensuring all involved are equally aware of a person with disability’s care requirements.

Leadership in employment inclusion

Martin Wren (Joint Winner)

Martin, CEO of NOVA Employment, continues to champion employment as a means promoting inclusion of people with disabilities. The list of Martin’s campaigning is lengthy and broad in scope: major television and radio campaigns, billboards, bus skins, direct mailing, and story sharing via unique distribution methods. Martin has also written a book on people with disability attempting to enter the workforce, and has initiated a film festival, now in its eight year.

Jigsaw - Fighting Chance Australia (Joint Winner)

Jigsaw is a social enterprise that leverages its commercial activity in order to provide employment, work experience and support to people with disability in NSW. It aims to build the capacity of the disability workforce to match or exceed productivity and quality levels of mainstream competitors, creating jobs for people with disability, paid at or above award wages. Jigsaw provides practical training, skill development and work experience opportunities as well as forming transitional pathways into mainstream roles.

Excellence in regional innovation

Lifestart’s Online Therapy

Lifestart’s Online Therapy provides young people living with disability or developmental delay and their families the opportunity to access the support of experienced professionals. Key elements of the project include training for families and staff in using the selected technology as well as establishment of protocol to ensure engagement with local communities, with an emphasis on using the natural environments and everyday activities of the children and young people. Achievements included selecting an appropriate online platform, engaging with the whole family and community and finding new ways to work in evidence based models online.

Innovation in improving outcomes for children and young people

Family Planning NSW (Joint Winner)

Family Planning’s Sexuality and Relationships Forums provide parents and carers of people with disability with an intensive half-day program to build their knowledge and confidence in providing sexuality support. Covering a diverse range of topics, the forums offer resources, workshops, evidence-based information and opportunities to connect with other carers. A multidisciplinary team including relationship counsellors, psychologists, sexuality educators, sexual health nurses and doctors ensures that parents have access to expert information and advice.

Royal Far West (Joint Winner)

Royal Far West’s Telecare platform has delivered therapy to 477 children with speech and language delays, occupational therapy needs, psychological and sensory processing delays and disabilities. They have created strong partnerships and engagement with local communities, including schools, preschools and home settings. After evaluating the delivery of service via telecare, Royal Far West found that children achieved their goals as effectively as if they were attending regular sessions. Parents also report an increased ability to interact positively with their child and to understand their goals.

*Winners' profiles were obtained from the Disability Awards website. Go to the Disability Awards website to read more on this year's winners and finalists.