Supporting the rights and inclusion of people with disability

The Victorian Disability Awards (VDA) honours individuals and organisations who support the rights and inclusion of people with disability through their work.

Be proud of who you are, get that pride out there, it's awesome to have a disability. Chris Varney, the Victorian Disability Advisory Council Chair

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Chris Varney: The Victorian Disability Awards are so important because we've put a spotlight on amazing Victorians who have their heart for disability and they shine it out there.

Matt Warren: It's an incredible experience to win the Victorian Disability Award. The thing that's most incredible is to be judged by my peers, people that I just aspire to. So to have them award me with this is just an amazing experience.

Heather Forsyth: I'm really excited about being a winner. I think I’m most proud of being a peer to other self-advocates. People look up to me, even though I’m short.

Matthew Yates: It feels amazing to be part of a group of people and a whole body of work that's making a big contribution to the sector. Being able to co-design with people with disability is fantastic.

Cameron Bloofield: It feels amazing to get recognised for my hard work that I do with Rainbow Rights and the LGBTIQ community with people with disabilities. It's good to celebrate that we have a dual identity. It's not just that I have an intellectual disability, I'm also proud to be part of the LGBTIQ community as well, as a gay man.

Matt Warren: The Victorian disability community is so beautifully networked. We all look out to each other, we all reach out to each other and we all support each other. It's just a fabulous thing to be part of that network.

Chris Varney: If I could say one thing to all of this year's nominees, I'd say be proud of who you are. Get that pride out there because it's awesome to have a disability and be contributing to Victoria.

Celebrating those who make a real difference

The Victorian Disability Awards ceremony brings members of the disability community together to recognise their achievements of the past year.

Nominations for awards are open to individuals and groups, including people with disability, family members, friends or those working in the disability sector across four categories:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Honouring a Victorian person with disability who has worked for many years to support disability rights and inclusion.
Leadership in Co-design: Recognising those who have worked in partnership with people with disability to design better products, services, and policies.
Disability Pride Champion: Celebrating people with disability or others who support them to speak up for their rights and make our community more inclusive.
Advocacy for People (including Self Advocacy): Recognising individuals who promote disability pride, honour diversity, and strengthen the voice of people with disability.

It feels amazing to be recognised for my hard work that I do with Rainbow Rights. It’s good to celebrate that we have a good identity. Cameron Bloomfield, Rainbow Rights and Advocacy

Recognition by peers

Finalists are chosen by a judging panel from Victoria’s disability community and other community sectors.

The judges reviewed the nominations to consider each nominee’s contributions to improving the lives of people with disability.

The thing that’s most incredible is to be judged by my peers and people that I just aspire to. Matthew Renn Warren, Yooralla

The Victorian Disability Awards in pictures

2024 Victorian Disability Awards winners with DFFH Secretary Peta McCammon and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability, Iwan Walters.

Members of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC) left to right – Amanda Lawrie-Jones, Carol Syer (Caitlin’s mum) and Caitlin Syer.

VDAC members left to right – James Griffiths, who presented the Advocacy Award, his support worker Brenton Dinsdale, and Amir Brand-Abdi, who presented the Disability Pride Champion Award.

Margherita Coppolino, Co-chair of the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Disability Inclusion Expert Advisory Group and Co-Chair, Inclusive Rainbow Voices.

Members of Guide Dogs Victoria enjoying the event.

A friendly guide dog accompanying a guest.

The awards recognise individuals and organisations across the disability sector.

DFFH Secretary Peta McCammon, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability, Iwan Walters and VDAC members, with the 2024 Victorian Disability Award winners.

2024 Victorian Disability Awards, now in their twelfth year, recognises the achievements of individuals, teams and organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability.