The National Disability Award winners were announced at a gala ceremony in Parliament House last night.

The 2016 National Disability Award winners are:

• Lesley Hall Leadership Award
• Maurice Corcoran AM, SA
• Employer of the year Award
• Brisbane City Council, QLD
• Excellence in Community Partnership Award
• The Dementia Friendly Kiama Project, Kiama Municipal Council, NSW
• Shire of Collie, WA
• Excellence in Inclusive Service Delivery Award
• Determined2, SA  & Nightlife Disability Service, VIC
• Exellence in Technology Award
• Dr Peter Puya Abolfathi, Healthcare Innovations Australia, NSW
• Excellence in Education and Training Award
• Tagai State College Student Support Services Team, QLD
• Excellence in Justice and Rights Protection Award
• Kerri Cassidy, Chronic CerebroSpinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Australia VIC &  Kairsty Wilson, AED Legal Centre, VIC

Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, Jane Prentice Prentice, congratulated the ten winners noting that they have all made a remarkable effort to improve the lives of people with disability.

“These passionate and hardworking people and organisations have been recognised for their commitment and contribution to achieving greater inclusion and accessibility for people with disability,” she said.

“The National Disability Awards, now in their 10th year, are an excellent opportunity to honour and recognise the hard work and achievements of every day Australians who are making a real difference to the lives of people with disability.”

The 10 Award winners were chosen across eight award categories drawn from a field of more than 120 nominations.

“I would like to thank all the winners for the remarkable work being done to break down barriers faced by people with disability and to make Australia a more inclusive society,” Prentice said.

The National Disability Awards are a major part of the Commonwealth Government’s celebration of International Day of People with Disability, marked on 3 December each year.