^{INSETA calls for nominations for National Disability Awards 2011}

^{The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) continue its support for people with disabilities in the South African workplace with its third annual National Disability Awards to be held next month. Nominations for this event are now open.}

^{The Awards aim to honour and raise the profile of workers with disabilities who are making a remarkable difference in the workplace, as well as individuals and organisations supporting the advancement of people with disabilities. Award winners will be announced on December 2, to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.}

^{The United Nations has themed this year’s celebrations as “Together for a better world for all: including persons with disabilities in development”.INSETA Chief Executive Officer Sandra Dunn said that the UN has raised concerns that while many commitments have been made by the international development community to include persons with disabilities in all aspects of development, the gap between policy and practice remains.}

^{With that in mind, Dunn said that “All sectors need to continue their work in this area. The call with the 2011 theme is for the identification and removal of barriers in all their aspects, and the promotion of disability inclusive development. We can only achieve our goals for a unified society if we can ensure that persons with disabilities are integrated into all aspects of society and development.”}

^{There has nonetheless been tremendous progress made, and the Awards celebrate this. “It is important to note the good that has been done. At INSETA we acknowledge that the insurance sector especially has done very well in terms of transformation where people with disabilities are concerned. However, she said, a lot more still needed to be done to ensure that persons with disabilities are mainstreamed into all aspects of society, including future development.}

^{“These Awards are a celebratory affair, but we also want to raise awareness of how incredibly able many so-called disabled people truly are. We need to start raising our expectations of them, as so often it is our perceptions, not their disabilities, that continue to hold them back,” she said.}

^{This sentiment was echoed by Ari Seirlis, National Director of the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA).}

^{“The Awards are a magnificent idea, especially as INSETA is not trying to politicise the issue as many organisations do, but rather celebrate the successes of individuals and companies who are championing the interests of workers with disabilities,” said Seirlis.}

^{“The challenge for employers is, of course, finding skilled people – but we want to emphasise that there is massive value if they are willing to invest in training for people with disabilities,” he added.}

^{Dunn declared the previous Award events a great success – having achieved their primary goals of challenging prejudices and showing what outstanding contributions people with disabilities are making to South African businesses every day.}

^{“With these Awards we have encouraged the further efforts of everyone in South Africa, able bodied or disabled, to challenge the prejudices that still persist in our country, there is still a long way to go, but I feel we are moving forward” she said.}

^{In total, the National Disability Awards will have five nomination categories, bringing in a new category this year to further celebrate diversity:}

^{The Business Leader Award (for people with disabilities who have shown outstanding personal achievement in the workplace);}

^{The Young Leader Award (for people with disabilities aged 18 to 25 who have displayed great potential in their studies/workplace);}

^{The Champion Award (for employers or individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities);}

^{The Company Award (for organisations that have created opportunities for people with disabilities), and finally, a new category:}

^{The Woman Award (for a woman with a disability who has displayed outstanding personal achievement in business/workplace/ entrepreneurship/sport).}

^{Individuals and companies wishing to make nominations are to call 086 130 130 to obtain a nomination form, said Dunn. Nominations close on 25 November 2011, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 2 December.}