These awards recognise businesses, organisations and clubs that have demonstrated excellence and outstanding achievements in including people with a disability as employees, customers, members or participants.

Latrobe City’s rural access project officer, Bill Lawler, said that these awards would give people with a disability an opportunity to acknowledge businesses, organisations and clubs where they have been made to feel welcome and been treated with dignity and respect.

"A steering committee was established in Latrobe City to plan activities for the ‘International Day of People with a Disability’ in 2009 and decided to call for nominations for the ‘Latrobe Access and Inclusion Awards’, which will be presented at a business breakfast in Morwell on Tuesday 1 December 2009.

The awards and business breakfast are sponsored by Work Solutions Gippsland, Latrobe Community Health Service, Latrobe City, The Department of Family Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Workways Gippsland, WIN TV, iGAIN Quality Learning, CRS Gippsland, Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc, CFMEU and the ‘Get Ready’ employment program at Cooinda Hill.

Mr Lawler added that approximately 35% of the population have a temporary or permanent disability, so businesses benefit from ensuring they provide the highest level of access to their goods and services.

"Most clubs and organisations are looking for new members to make them stronger and more sustainable. People with a disability have diverse interests and abilities and can be a real asset to any club or organisation.

"GippSport has guidelines on how to create an inclusive and welcoming club that promotes a welcoming atmosphere for participants, coaches, officials, administrators, spectators or any other person involved in, or visiting the club, regardless of ability or personal attributes," Mr Lawler said.

"Similarly, event organisers are always looking to maximise attendance to ensure the viability and sustainability of events. Staging events which are accessible to people with a disability in an effective way to increase attendance and acknowledge diversity in the community.

"It is important that people with a disability put forward their nominations to ensure that local businesses that are inclusive can be acknowledged. Nominations close on 2 November 2009," Mr Lawler concluded.

For further information about how to ensure your business, organisation, club or event can be more accessible to people with a disability, please contact Bill Lawler (Rural Access Project Officer) at Latrobe City on 5128 5610.

For specific information about the ‘Welcoming and Inclusive Clubs’ initiative, please contact David Roberts at GippSport on 5135 8335.

Nomination Forms are available from Latrobe City service centres or can be downloaded from the website at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au. Alternatively, telephone Bill Lawler on 5128 5610 or Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc, phone Jen Rowley on 5133 9440.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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