The Tauranga Disability Advisory Group is calling for final nominations for the Tauranga Accessibility Awards, to celebrate achievement and innovation in building an inclusive community.

The accessibility awards seek to recognise developers, architects, builders, business owners and event organisers who demonstrate a commitment towards universal design – making things safer, easier and more convenient for everyone.

Terese James, chair of the Tauranga Disability Advisory Group, says the awards are about celebrating buildings, businesses and events that allow everyone to have equitable access, and for individuals to feel included and valued members of the community.

'We want to encourage equal opportunities in Tauranga by creating an accessible and inclusive community that enables people to live their lives according to their individual interests, needs and aspirations.”

The awards cover three categories:

• A new building or residential property that is fully inclusive and accessible, and embraces universal design principles.
• A business/organisation that ensures the most accessible use of its premises and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.
• A community event that is accessible and inclusive.

The community is encouraged to nominate building developers, owners, business operators, event organisers who have embraced social inclusion in the development of their site and/or operation of their business or staging of their event.

The awards will be presented at the Tauranga City Council Community and Culture Committee Meeting on October 9 2018.

Dani Jurgeleit, Community Development Advisor at Tauranga City Council says that raising awareness of universal design and accessibility with the community are just two of the goals within the council's disability strategy.

'The vision of our disability strategy is for Tauranga to be an inclusive city where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in our community,” says Dani.

Nominations for the Tauranga Accessibility Awards close on September 2 2018.

For more information and to nominate visit: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/community/community-services/accessibility