- Nominations for 2023 Most Accessible Communities WA Awards now open
- The awards recognise local governments that create accessible and inclusive communities for all Western Australians
- Nominations close on 13 October 2023
Western Australia's most accessible and inclusive communities will be recognised and celebrated in the upcoming 2023 Most Accessible Communities WA (MACWA) Awards.
Nominations are now open from local governments who wish to showcase their commitment to inclusive and accessible communities.
The MACWA Awards are based on Local Government Disability Access Inclusion Plans and seek to recognise those cities, towns and shires which demonstrate that they have exceeded minimum legislative requirements with a creative and innovative approach to buildings and services, public open spaces, communication, and employment.
The Awards, run by Regional Capitals Alliance, aim to create awareness and influence public perception to ensure people with disability, their families, and carers are welcomed and included in the community.
There are four award categories: accessible buildings, facilities and services; public open spaces; communication; and employment.
Judgingpanel members include Disability Assembly WA board and council member Bruce Langoulant AM, Diversity South CEO Julie Waylen, MACWA Ambassador Melissa Northcott, WA Disability Advisory Council's Terina Grace and WA Local Government Association's Alina Hobson.
The winners will be announced in December, as part of International Day of People with Disability. Nominations can be made here: https://waregionalcapitals.com.au/documents-research/. Entries close on 13 October 2023.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"The MACWA Awards play a significant role in highlighting the importance of accessible and inclusive communities, and the role we all play in ensuring our cities, towns and all facets of community life can be accessed equally by all Western Australians.
"I look forward to learning about some of the creative and innovative ways in which our local governments are ensuring their facilities, services, open spaces and employment policies are inclusive and accessible for everyone.
"Hopefully, by recognising and celebrating our local governments, which are putting accessibility and inclusivity at the core of their service delivery, we can encourage a real movement that sees tangible results and better outcomes for all Western Australians."
