Nominations are now open for the 2015 National Disability Awards.

The awards give Australians a chance to acknowledge the people and organisations across the country that make a real impact on the lives of people with disability.

This year organisers are looking for nominations of individuals, businesses and organisations that “enable greater community inclusiveness by contributing to a disability rights based culture or empowering all Australians to fulfil their potential as equal citizens”.

Awards will be given in in six categories:

• Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
• Emerging Leader in Disability Awareness
• Excellence in Accessibility – Technology
• Excellence in Accessibility – Community
• Excellence in Choice and Control in Service Delivery
• Excellence in Advocacy

Last year’s winners included life time achievement winner Bill Bradley and the First People’s Disability Network, the only national organization governed by Indigenous people with disability in the world.

To nominate for the National Disability Awards read the guidelines and simply fill out the nomination form or call 1800 672 682. TTY users call 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 672 682.

Nominations close on 4 September 2015.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Great Hall, Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 25 November ahead of International Day of People With Disability on December 3.

We’ll post the winners here as soon as we hear.