NT Disability Inclusion Awards
The Northern Territory Disability Inclusion Awards are held annually to celebrate the outstanding of achievements of people, teams and organisations making the Territory more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
This year, the award presentation ceremony will be hosted by the Minister for Disability at Parliament House on Friday 25 September 2026.
The presentation ceremony will be video recorded and made available on this page as soon as practicable after the event.
2026 NT Disability Inclusion Award finalists
The finalists for each of the 6 award categories have now been announced.
These finalists have demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to improving the lives of Territorians with disability.
| Award category | Finalist name |
|---|---|
Excellence in Rights Promotion and Empowerment | Disability Rights Service, Darwin Community Legal Service |
Inclusion NT | |
Karen McEwan | |
NT Disability Advocacy Consortium | |
Excellence in Innovation | Clinical Services Team, Somerville Community Services |
Employer Abiliti Project Co-Design Team, HPA Incorporated | |
Sticky Fingers Kitchen | |
Territory Together | |
Inclusive Communities Award | Neurodiversity Hub - Access and Inclusion Team, Charles Darwin University |
Club Krock | |
Sticky Fingers Kitchen | |
Top End Connect | |
TRACKS Care | |
Excellence in Service Provision | Manayingkarírra Therapy Support, Carpentaria Disability Services |
Purple Support | |
Somerville Community Services | |
YouthWorX NT | |
Excellence in Support | Brad Grant |
Grace Knight | |
Laura Ferrie | |
Michael Gleeson | |
Excellence in Education and Employment | Access and Inclusion Team, Charles Darwin University |
Forrest Parade School | |
Inclusion NT | |
Special Education Centre, Driver Secondary School |
Guide and fact sheet
Read further information about the 2026 awards in the nomination guide and fact sheet.
NT Disability Inclusion Awards Nomination Guide PDF (490.2 KB)
NT Disability Inclusion Awards Nomination Guide DOCX (462.2 KB)
NT Disability Inclusion Awards Easy Read Fact Sheet PDF (20.0 MB)
Award categories
There are 6 award categories.
Excellence in rights promotion and empowerment
This award recognises those who have made a significant contribution supporting and promoting the human rights of people with disability, empowering choice and control, independence and decision-making capacity.
Proudly sponsored by Northern Territory Public Guardian and Trustee.
Excellence in innovation
This award recognises those who have developed new or innovative approaches to ensuring people with disability can access services, facilities or information.
The innovation may be groundbreaking or help people with disability overcome barriers or solve complex challenges.
Proudly sponsored by Carpentaria Disability Services Inc.
Inclusive communities award
This award recognises those who have made a significant contribution to improving community participation and inclusion of people with disability within the community.
Proudly sponsored by Somerville Community Services Inc.
Excellence in support
This award recognises the significant contribution of an individual in providing disability supports, services and opportunities over and above the needs of the people with disability they support.
Proudly sponsored by HPA Incorporated.
Excellence in service provision
This award recognises the significant contribution of a disability sector organisation in providing supports, services and opportunities to people with disability that are over and above best practice.
Proudly sponsored by Casuarina Square Shopping Centre.
Excellence in education and employment
This award recognises employers or those who support education and employment of people with disability, who go over and above to ensure people with disability can develop skills and participate fully in their chosen employment or educational path.
Proudly supported by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment.
History
The inaugural awards, originally known as the Disability Services Awards, were launched on 3 December 2011 to coincide with the International Day of People with Disability.
Since then, more than 120 awards have been presented, and the awards has grown to be a significant annual event on the disability community calendar.
Each year, the awards ceremony brings together award winners and accessibility and inclusion champions from across the Territory, with approximately 200 people attending.
In 2022, the award categories were updated to align with the vision, values and principles of the Northern Territory Disability Strategy 2022-2032.
The strategy aims to address the barriers to equality, accessibility and inclusion experienced by Territorians with disability.
Read more about the strategy and action plan.
View previous award winners.
More information
The awards are coordinated by the Office of Disability in the Department of People, Sport and Culture.
For more information, call the Office of Disability on 08 8999 2809 or email OfficeofDisability.DPSC@nt.gov.au.
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