Disability Connect – Enabling Good Lives Awards
Disability Connect – Enabling Good Lives Awards 2026
Know anyone who deserves a gold medal for Enabling Good Lives?
We are incredibly excited to advise that nominations are now open for our inaugural Disability Connect Enabling Good Lives Awards 2026.
These awards celebrate people, organisations, and community groups who are making a real difference for disabled people and their whānau across Auckland.
The Awards recognise those who champion inclusion, uphold Enabling Good Lives principles, and create environments where disabled people can thrive. Whether it’s a school, employer, health provider, community organisation, or an individual doing outstanding work, we want to acknowledge their leadership and impact.
We want to acknowledge outstanding mahi across employment, education, health and housing.
Are you an employer who offers interview opportunities to all disabled job applicants and uses innovative adjustments for their disabled employees. Do you know a SENCO who has patiently supported your son through an ORS assessment. An allied health professional like a psychologist who has prepared bespoke behavioural training and strategies to support you as a parent and your carers to support your son or daughter. Has a housing provider created secure, supported living where your disabled loved one can pursue arts and interests while you can simply be a parent. These are the kinds of stories we want to celebrate.
Anyone can submit a nomination. If you know someone who has shown commitment, innovation, or genuine care in supporting disabled people over the past year, we encourage you to put their name forward.
Strong nominations help us:
- Highlight people and organisations who are living the Enabling Good Lives approach
- Celebrate inclusive practice and positive change in our community
- Inspire others to follow their example
Nominations can be submitted as a short video (up to 2 minutes) or a written statement (up to 400 words).
All nominations go into a draw to win one of three $50 Prezzy Cards.
Nominations close 31 July 2026.
The Awards will be presented at the Transition Expo on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at the Auckland Netball Centre, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns.
FAQ
Who can be nominated?
You can nominate a person, a family or whānau member, a school, an employer, a health provider, a community group, an NGO, a business, or yourself. Disability Connect staff and Board members cannot be nominated.
Award categories?
Housing, Education, Employment, Health and Wellbeing, Disability Supports.
What we are looking for?
We want to hear about people and organisations who have used the Enabling Good Lives principles in their work. This includes supporting choice and control, treating people with respect, building confidence, helping people take part in everyday life, and strengthening relationships and community connections.
Recipients of the awards must have delivered disability services in the greater Auckland area between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Why award winners must be delivering services in the greater Auckland area
The Awards focus on work that supports disabled people and their families living in the greater Auckland region. This is because Disability Connect is an Auckland‑based organisation, and the Transition Expo associated with these awards is hosted and run to meet the needs of Auckland communities.
To make sure the Awards recognise real impact in our local area, all nominees must have delivered disability services, programmes, or support in the greater Auckland area between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. This helps us highlight the people and organisations who are improving everyday life for disabled people and whānau right here in Auckland.
How to submit a nomination?
You can send a short video of up to two minutes, or a written statement of up to 400 words. A Google Form link will be provided. You can send more than one nomination. If you wish to upload documents or media to the google form and do not have a gmail account please forward your nomination via email with the attachments .
What to include?
- Who you are nominating and the category
- What they achieved in the last twelve months
- How they use the Enabling Good Lives principles
- How their work has helped disabled people and their families
- Why you think they should be recognised
You can also include optional evidence such as testimonials, photos, links, or examples of impact.
Accessibility
We will have NZSL interpreters at the Awards. You can choose the nomination format that works best for you.
Judging
A three person panel led by Board Chair Colleen Brown KSO will review all nominations. Any conflicts of interest will be managed. Finalists will be confirmed in August.
Awards ceremony
Winners will be announced at the Transition Expo on 9 September 2026. The Expo usually has more than 1,500 visitors and around 150 organisations.
Questions
Email: admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz with Awards in the Subject line.
We look forward to celebrating the incredible mahi happening across Auckland.
