Excellence in Innovation Award

The Insurance Commission sponsors the Excellence in Innovation Award at the WA Disability Support Awards. The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a person, team or organisation that:

• is doing or developing new or different approaches that improve outcomes for people with disabilities; and
• have turned an idea into a solution that increases the independence of people with disability, reduce effort for carers and families or reduces care costs.

The WA Disability Support Awards are an annual event that recognise and reward excellence by people who provide support of the highest standard to increase the quality of life and inclusion for people with disability.

Nominations for the Excellence in Innovation Award can be made to the National Disability Services of Western Australia.

Previous winners of the Excellence in Innovation Award

Year		Recipient	Project
2023		Superyou Therapy Driving Service	Led by occupational therapists Andrew Browton and Jodie Herberte, the Driving Service at Superyou uses modified vehicles configured for many disabilities. Jodie and Andrew work with each client to find the best vehicle modification and tailor a plan towards mobility independence.
2021		Peer-to-Peer Networks WA from Valued Lives	Led by Clare Gibellini, the team have been recognised as the 2021 winners for ensuring people with disability were able to stay connected and informed during the COVID-19 lockdown of March and April 2020. The team quickly adapted their support group to an online forum, supporting people to learn how to use Zoom, register for online shopping, source masks, seek medical advice, as well as creating a vital social connection.
2020		Autism Association of WA Monique Ziegelaar from VisAbility	Autism WA were joint winners of the 2020 award for their Autism in Cricket project which promotes participation in cricket by children with disabilities. Monique Ziegelaar from VisAbility also took out the 2020 award for her 'How I Learn' program, that aims to enhance the inclusivity of children with disability in education settings.
2019		Independent Living Centre WA	Independent Living Centre (ILC) WA won the award for its work trialling eye-gaze technology on students with complex physical needs. Using just their eye movement, it allowed them to communicate independently, helping them learn and socialise.
2018		Holly Bridges	Holly Bridges won the award for her neuroplasticity work that helps people with disabilities improve their physical and social presentations.