ADCET's Annual Accessibility in Action Awards (Nominations now OPEN)

In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), ADCET holds annual Accessibility in Action Awards to recognise passion, innovation, good practice and leadership in accessibility.

Our awards are held annually in line with GAAD which occurs yearly in May. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with disability.

Join us on Wednesday 15 May 2024 1:00 - 2:00 pm as we announce the 2024 winners

This event is free to attend and will be live captioned.

The Trevor Allan Award for Excellence in Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

This year ADCET is excited to announce a new Individual Award category - The Trevor Allan Award for Excellence in Disability Inclusion and Accessibility. This award is a prestigious honour that will be bestowed annually upon an individual who has demonstrated a sustained and unwavering commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusion for students with disability in tertiary education across Australia. Named after Trevor Allan, a renowned champion and leader in the disability and tertiary sector, this award recognises and celebrates those who have made significant and sustained contributions to creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

The award honours individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to remove barriers, implement innovative solutions, and advocate for the rights and needs of students with disability. These individuals have shown exceptional leadership, dedication, and passion in ensuring that students with disability have access to the same opportunities and resources as their peers, fostering an inclusive and supportive educational experience. The Trevor Allan Award celebrates the power of individual passion, dedication, and vision to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all learners.

Nominations

Nominations are now invited from tertiary education providers (Vocational Education & Training and Higher Ed.) across Australia and New Zealand from individuals and teams to highlight good practice to the sector.

Start thinking about who to nominate within your organisation now!

Winners will receive a certificate and an ADCET digital badge.

Selection Criteria

Your Accessibility in Action nomination should meet the following criteria for individual, team or project awards:

has been in development or delivered in 2023/2024 (could be a new or ongoing program) 
open to tertiary education (Vocational Education & Training and Higher Ed) providers across Australia and New Zealand
addresses physical, digital, learning or cultural barriers to accessibility for people with disability
relates to an accessibility issue for students, staff or broader community relating to your institution
demonstrates a commitment to accessibility.

Nominations close: Monday 6 May 2024

Nominate an individual or team

Important dates

Nominations close on Monday 6 May 2024

Winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on Wednesday 15 May 2024

2024 Judging Panel

The Accessibility in Action Awards 2024 are proud to feature a distinguished panel of five esteemed judges with a diverse range of expertise and experiences. This year's judges bring together professionals from various backgrounds, including passionate advocates, students with lived experience and sector leaders. Their collective knowledge and passion for inclusive design will ensure a rigorous and fair evaluation process, recognising the most impactful accessibility initiatives and innovations across industries.

Dinesh Palipana was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. While in medical school, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury.

Dinesh works in the emergency department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Griffith University. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury. He is a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. Dinesh was a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission. He is an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includeability program. He is a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia. He is an advisory board member to HealthyLife. Dinesh is a John Monash Scholar.

Dinesh was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.

Breanna Medcalfe is a 21-year-old student in her fifth year of studying a Bachelor of Law part-time on the Sunshine Coast and is a passionate Health Consumer Representative and Disability advocate, working throughout Queensland and Australia. She has a high-level spinal cord lesion from birth which has inspired her to be a voice for those living with Disability.

Remaining bios and images will be available shortly