Finalists / Winners 2010

Inclusion in Small Business

Capital Careers for specialising in developing and delivering training solutions to business, government and community organizations.

Café Ink for providing training and employment opportunities to people who have been excluded from the labor market.

Nations Heart for their Gentle Footprints program that provides people with a disability the ability to cook in an extremely social inclusive environment.

Technical Aid to the Disabled for improving the quality of life of people with disabilities and the ageing through innovative aids that are not otherwise available.

Medius Ventures for empowering full inclusion for people with mental health issues and creating innovative partnerships with business outcomes.

Winner:

Café Ink Café Ink is a social enterprise, established by Woden Community Service to provide employment and training opportunities to people who have been excluded from the labour market due to an enduring disability or other circumstance.

Employment, training, and a valued social role are the cornerstones of this business for all participants with and without disabilities. To date, 10 people living with a disability or mental health issues have been engaged by Café Ink.

Café Ink was established with the explicit aim of creating employment for people who have been prevented from participating in the labour market. While it has this focus, Cafe Ink also provides an impressive example of how inclusion is woven throughout a business that operates in a highly competitive service industry.

Café Ink by example is leading the way in what a true inclusive environment is within the workplace.

Inclusion in Medium – Large Business

Winner

Aspen Medical

Aspen Medical is an Australian company with its headquarters based in Canberra. They have broad expertise and extensive experience in the delivery of healthcare solutions in complex environments.

Since Aspen’s inception, they have supported a range of disability issues and developed a strong culture of corporate social responsibility that includes a broad range of sponsorships of disability organisations and events (Down Syndrome Association, Special Olympics, The Big Issue, Lions Club Kids Disabilities Christmas Shows).

In addition, they have ensured staffing as well as equipment is in pace to support disability organisations and many events. They run work experience programs for people with disabilities that go on to employment.

Aspen supports over 300 athletes – nationally and internationally – with disabilities to realise their sporting goals ambitions and over 100 coaches and team managers to provide professional sporting assistance.

Inclusion in ACT Government – Department or Agency

The Big Issue for providing opportunities for homeless and marginalized people to positively change their lives.

ACT Health for providing a long-term commitment for equal access and employment opportunities to people with a disability.

ANU College of Business & Economics for a long term program that supports people through periods of challenge and change.

Tandem Respite for promoting independence and quality of life through respite, personal care and social inclusion.

Winner

ANU College of Business &Economics The ANU College of Business and Economics has developed an innovative, lasting and well-supported program to ensure the ongoing training and employment of people with disabilities. They established a cafe in 2003 for the 4,500 students and staff on campus in order to build a sense of community, break down social barriers and provide meaningful training and employment opportunities for people with a disability.

Seven years on, the café remains an integral part of college life. Every morning staff from across 5 building precincts, gather to enjoy not only the services provided by the trained barista’s, but also their generous friendship and their company.

Not only does the staff working in the café gain experience, knowledge and confidence by undertaking this work, but also all of the people within the college have gained a greater understanding and respect for people with disabilities working in valued roles.

Inclusion in Commonwealth Government – Department or Agency

Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children ? FAHCSIA for promoting and encouraging a workplace culture of full inclusion

Property Services ? Department of Health and Ageing for developing and promoting sustainable workplace opportunities.

Winner

Property Services in the Department of Health

Property Services in the Department of Health drive initiatives that are providing ongoing full time employment for people with disabilities through the creation of tailored positions that ensure ‘good job’ match.

The approach is integrated and offers an example for other Departments to follow in terms of scale and innovation. The Department has also made considerable efforts to ensure the integration of people with disabilities within their workforce.

The Departments efforts have been framed within triple bottom line context and also an increase in overall productivity.

Inclusion in Education and Training

Merici College for building a rich tradition in the belief that all learners deserve equity and opportunity.

Nations Heart Christian Community for providing people with disabilities and inclusive educational environment.

National Gallery of Australia for providing access and engagement for people with particular needs.

Winner

National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Australia In 2007 the National Gallery of Australia committed to the design, development and implementation of a range of educational and access based programs to ensure the art experience is available to all – including people with mobility, sensory, sight or other disabilities.

This extensive range of programs has been offered both at the Gallery and outside the ACT as part of touring exhibitions and events. The level of commitment to these programs by the Gallery is evident through the ongoing improvements that go beyond minimum requirements.

In addition to the NGA’s focus through its education programs, the Gallery has also supported tailored inclusive programs as well as overcome significant structural barriers resulting in improved access to people with a range of disabilities.

Commendation

Merici College

Inclusion in Sport

ACT Boccia Association for promoting self-esteem, self-confidence and social acceptance amongst all members.

FIT-ability for providing the visually impaired and other disabilities complete access to cycling.

Kings Swim School for creating a positive environment for all colleagues, swimmers and families.

Majura Football Club for creating a club of equal opportunity that actively encourages the participation of special needs.

mpowerdome for the inclusion of community sport and recreation for all ages, abilities and interests.

Winner

FIT-ability

FIT-ability provides visually impaired people full access to cycling by providing a sighted rider at the front of a tandem bicycle. The visually impaired rider can enjoy the combination of undertaking a physical activity while extending their social network through a social and competitive sporting activity that is normally out of reach. Tandem riding is also offered to people with other disabilities such as those with autism, amputees, and intellectual disabilities.

FIT-ability facilitates participation either through enabling events with a trained partner, or by training a carer or family member to be their tandem partner. They also provide short-term loans of tandem bikes until people can acquire their own.

A sporting activity normally outside the reach of many people with disabilities, FIT-ablity provides complete inclusion to people interested in cycling or expanding their sporting experience while opening doors to a myriad of related social activities and networks.

Commendation

Kings Swim School

Inclusion in Arts

Stepping Stones for Life for building networks that improves the quality of life for people who are at risk of loneliness and isolation.

Belconnen Community Centre for their inclusive Open Art Program in a fully welcoming and supportive environment.

Winner

Belconnen Community Centre

Belconnen Community Services’ Open Art Program runs inclusive art classes for people experiencing mental health issues or dual diagnosis or disabilities. Classes provide a hands-on art experience in a friendly supportive environment where social interaction and creativity go hand in hand.

Classes range from African drumming, to drawing and painting, sculpture, digital photography, filmmaking, mosaics, pottery, printmaking, poetry, short story writing and drop-in art classes. The Open Art program also has Outreach Programs that are run by art therapists using music, drama and visual art in small groups as well as on a one to one basis as a therapeutic tool to assist isolated people across Canberra.

Innovative partnerships with other organisations and galleries provide exhibition and workshop experiences. In 2010 the BCC mounted a film festival surrounding the theme of ‘Recovery and Hope’ with many participants seeing their film on the big screen at Dendy Cinemas.

Inclusion in Tourism &Hospitality

National Convention Centre Canberra for their conviction to do the right thing, aim higher, celebrate difference and work better together.

Canberra Labour Club for being a supportive and willing employer for people with disability or intellectual challenges.

Winner

National Convention Centre Canberra

The National Convention Centre is committed to an expanding program of inclusion of people with disabilities.

The Centre has come a long way in a short time to build the support and profile of disability within its business, and has also chosen to make disability a focus in its corporate social responsibility across a range of fronts. These include a focus on access above minimum requirements, employment policies, support for disabilities and arts organisations as well as the provision of exhibition spaces for artists with disabilities.

The Margaret Spalding Award for Inclusion by an Individual

Harish Sachadeva for great skills and understanding in supporting, caring, and encouraging clients to meet their goals.

Mirinda Lawrence for her solutions that support physical, mental and social development and provide inspiration for others trying to help people with special needs.

Jacky Ryles for developing and improving the presence and participation of people with disabilities.

Janet McKinney for initiatives to programs, activities and services that allow education and exposure to better understand people with disabilities.

Justine McDonald for structuring valuable programs that assist people with a disability to achieve their pathway.

Kate Pickering for facilitating and supervising work experience placements for young people with a wide range of disabilities.

Winner

Mirinda Lawrence

Mirinda Lawrence has developed a unique business opportunity for her son Ronnie, who has multiple disabilities. With Ronnie, she is the founder of Ronnie’s Succulent Snails, a social enterprise established to breed and grow snails for the restaurant market.

Mirinda has also been responsible for the coordination of the Christian Blind Mission providing work experience and small business development. She has also toured, providing motivational talks focussing on how to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities. She has assisted the committee for the International Day of People with Disabilities; provided a driving force for ‘Disability Sunday’ and developed a skill transfer program delivering the skills and knowledge of ACT retirees benefiting people with disabilities and their carers. Mirinda is working closely with the ACT Social Enterprise Hub to assist in establishing a micro business incubator to provide hands-on support for people with a disability in the ACT region.

The 2010 ACT Chief Minister’s Award of Excellence

• Café Ink
• Aspen Medical
• ANU College of Business &Economics
• ANU College of Business &Economics
• Property Services ? Department of Health
• National Gallery of Australia
• Kings Swim School
• Belconnen Community Centre
• National Convention Centre Canberra
• Mirinda Lawrence

Winner

Café Ink

Café Ink is a social enterprise, established by Woden Community Service to provide employment and training opportunities to people who have been excluded from the labour market due to an enduring disability or other circumstance.

Employment, training, a valued social role and social inclusion – including a wage – are the cornerstones of the business for all participants with and without disabilities. To date, 10 people living with a disability and/or mental health issue have been engaged by Café Ink.

Café Ink was established with the explicit aim of creating employment for people who live with a disability or other circumstances that preventing them from participating in the labour market. While it has this focus, Cafe Ink also provides an impressive example of how inclusion is woven throughout a business that operates in a highly competitive service industry.

Café Ink by example are leading the way in what a true inclusive environment is within the workplace.

Tagged as: ACT Inclusion Awards winners 2010