The City of Ballarat is calling on the community to help celebrate local inclusion and accessibility champions, with nominations open from Monday, 7 September for the 2026 International Day of People with Disability Awards.
The annual awards celebrate local people with disability, carers, volunteers, clubs, businesses and organisations that are helping build a more inclusive and accessible Ballarat.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the awards were an important opportunity to showcase the people and organisations making a positive difference in the lives of others.
“These awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the people and organisations making a real difference in our community,” she said
“Across Ballarat, there are people leading change, advocating for others, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people with disability to participate and thrive.
“The awards shine a light on these achievements and recognise the contributions that strengthen our community and help ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.”
The 2026 International Day of People with Disability Awards are delivered in partnership with Latrobe Community Health Services, Victorian Home and Community Care, Sports Central and the Ballarat Working Together Group.
The awards align with the City of Ballarat’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, helping to promote disability pride and leadership, recognise inclusive practices, encourage conversations about accessibility and inspire action.
Community members can nominate themselves or someone else. Nominations are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences who live, work, study, regularly visit or have a strong connection to the City of Ballarat.
The 2026 award categories are:
Accessible Arts and Culture Award
- Honours a person with a disability who uses their creative talents to express themselves, connect with others, and challenge perceptions of disability.
- Sponsored by McCallum Disability Services
Accessible Sports Award
- This award recognises an individual, club or group that has promoted inclusion and access in sport and recreation for people with disabilities in the City of Ballarat.
- Sponsored by Nurse Next Door
Young Leader Award
- Recognises a young person (aged 25 or under) with a disability who is making a difference through leadership, advocacy or community involvement.
- Sponsored by Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Accessibility Advocate Award
- Celebrates a person with lived experience of disability who has driven real change in accessibility and inclusion through advocacy and action.
- Sponsored by Lifely
Accessibility Ally Award
- Acknowledges someone without lived experience who has actively supported the rights, voices and inclusion of people with disabilities.
- Sponsored by Ballarat Community Health
Accessible Venue Award
- Recognises a venue that is highly accessible for people living with disability.
- Sponsored by Driving Miss Daisy
Accessible Organisation Award
- Named after Shane Everard and Matt Mattson (local advocates living with disability), this award recognises a local business or not-for-profit organisation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to making its venue, services, or products accessible to people with disabilities.
- Sponsored by Healio Care
Outstanding Carer or Volunteer Award
- Recognises a carer or volunteer who has made an outstanding impact to supporting people with disability and creating a more inclusive community.
Sponsored by Victorian Home and Community Care
Nominations are open 9am Monday 7 September and close at 11.59pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
Award recipients will be announced at the International Day of People with Disability Awards Ceremony at the Mining Exchange Ballarat on Thursday 3 December 2026.
The City of Ballarat is committed to ensuring the nomination process is accessible, with support available for people who require assistance submitting a nomination.
