Disability Confidence Awards 2026

Introduction

The Australian Disability Network Disability Confidence Awards celebrate the organisations and individuals driving disability inclusion across Australian workplaces and communities. In 2026, we have expanded the program with new categories and separate recognition for small to medium enterprises and large organisations.

Award recipients will be announced at the awards dinner on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at The Sofitel, Melbourne.

See our 2026 Disability Confidence Awards finalists

Purchase tickets

This year’s awards are bigger than ever, with expanded categories and dedicated recognition for both small to medium enterprises and large organisations, ensuring every kind of impact gets its moment in the spotlight. Set against the elegance of The Sofitel, Melbourne, on Tuesday 20 October 2026, this gala dinner will bring together changemakers from across the community to celebrate the initiatives and people driving genuine, lasting change. Secure your tickets now to be part of this special evening.

Purchase tickets here

Thank you to our sponsors

Partner with us

Nights like this don’t happen without our members behind them. Being part of it, at any level, does two things at once: it helps shift Australia towards a more inclusive place to work and live, and it’s a genuinely good night. There’s a way in for every organisation, whether that’s nominating someone doing great work, sponsoring a finalist to attend, or partnering with us.

2026 Disability Confidence Awards Partnership Prospectus – accessible word doc

2026 Award Categories

  • Inclusive Marketing & Communications Award New for 2026!
  • Digital Accessibility Progress Award New for 2026!
  • Inclusive Event and Space Design Award New for 2026!
  • Intern of the Year
  • Supervisor of the Year
  • Mentee of the Year
  • Mentor of the Year
  • Workforce Inclusion Initiative of the Year (SME and large org)
  • Customer Inclusion Initiative of the Year (SME and large org)
  • DEN/ERG of the Year (SME and large org)
  • Emerging/Next Generation Leader Award New for 2026!
  • Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year

Meet our judges

Beau Vass

Beau Vass

TTC Global

Cain Beckett

Cain Beckett

Enliven Housing

Cathy Robinson

Cathy Robinson

The Observership Program

Deb Homewood

Deb Homewood

SMART Group Board Member

Georgie Stayches

Georgie Stayches

Fetching Events

Henry Smith

Henry Smith

Inclusively Made

Jaime-lee Demmer

Jaime-lee Demmer

DEInvestments

Kate Hann is a woman with medium length, dark hair. She is wearing reading glasses and a light coat and button up top.

Kate Hann

AusDN Board Member

Katy Talikowska

Katy Talikowska

The Valuable 500

Kevin is a male wearing glasses, a collared shirt, navy blue tie and a black blazer with no hair. His arms are folded and he is smiling.

Kevin Figurado

AusDN Board Member

Kylie van Luyn

Kylie van Luyn

DEInvestments

Lucy Macali

Lucy Macali

Centre for Social Impact

Megan Spindler-Smith

Megan Spindler-Smith

People with Disability Australia

Paul Brown

Paul Brown

Private Philanthropic Trust

Paul Nunnari

Paul Nunnari

Disability Inclusion Advocate

Peter Bacon

Peter Bacon

Disability Employment Australia

Phil Butler

Phil Butler

Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)

Sandee Facy

Sandee Facy

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Sarah Pulis

Sarah Pulis

Intopia

Seb Ducarme

Seb Ducarme

PurpleSpace

Storm Menzies

Storm Menzies

ByStorm Beauty

Suzanne Colbert AM

Suzanne Colbert AM

AusDN Founding CEO

Vicki Little

Vicki Little

Little Neuroinclusion Agency

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