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Empower Awards 2024 – $60,000 in prizes to support disability innovation across Australia

We’re back!

It’s 2024 and the Empower Awards are back! This year, we’re thrilled to be continuing to support three categories of disability change – Innovation, Community and Individual.

At Wheels in Motion, we recognise that change takes many roots. From new technologies and product innovation to advocacy for greater accessibility, there’s an endless range of ideas and initiatives with the potential to empower millions of disabled Australians and, eventually, disabled lives around the world.

This year, we’re giving away a whopping $60,000 in prizes across three application categories:

Category #1: Innovation

Are you driving impact in the disability sector with a sustainable business or entrepreneurial idea?

Products, platforms or projects making positive change through innovation and entrepreneurship. Candidates will range from startups to established organisations, with funding used to seed or scale disability impact initiatives.

• First Prize: $20,000

• Second Prize $10,000

Category #2: Community

Are you what makes the community tick? Are you working to empower disabled people and building inclusive communities and environments?

Initiatives building community and empowering others through activities such as sports, arts, travel, events and more. Candidates will have a grassroots spirit and a specific mission in mind for funding.

• 2 x $10,000 prizes

Category #3: Individual

Are you an individual looking for funding to improve your quality of life through a new initiative or piece of equipment?

Are you an organisation providing services in support of disabled Australians – such as activity-based rehabilitation, equipment hire or education – that has a new or existing client in need of external funding?

Candidates will be individuals in need of gap funding for an important personal initiative, or – for those nominated by an organisation – a new or existing client in need of external funding to benefit from a service or activity.

• 5 x $2,000 prizes

If you’re eligible for any of these categories, please apply below! Applications close 11.59pm on Friday 1 November 2024.

We can’t wait to hear from you. Good luck!

About the Empower Awards

In 2020, Wheels in Motion launched the inaugural Empower Awards to shine a light on organisations making an impact in the disability space.

Our inaugural winners, Bump’N (formally Handi), received $20k and used these funds to launch their first prototype for an accessible, hands free sexual pleasure product.

In 2021, the Empower Awards were another success with Maslow & Spendable, two up and coming disability tech platforms, receiving $25,000 & $10,000 respectably to scale their projects.

In 2022, the Empower Awards were paused to allow for some much needed reflection and revision and we were thrilled to announce a brand new format in 2024.

In 2023, the Empower Awards had expanded to include two new categories – Individual and Community. We were thrilled to announce a host of winners this year, including Vacayit and SignHow as our Innovation Award winners, Tibi Access and Youth Disability Advocacy Service as our Community Award winners alongside 8 deserving Individual Award winners.

What is Wheels in Motion?

Wheels in Motion is a Melbourne-based disability non-profit empowering disabled Australians to enjoy greater social inclusion, equality of opportunity and quality of life.

Through our community and activities, we change perceptions of disability by breaking down old-fashioned & outdated stereotypes. We also raise funds to help those in financial need to afford essential equipment and services.

Since 2015, we’ve raised more than $350,000 to help disabled Australians live more empowered & independent lives. Thank you to everyone who has helped, supported & donated to us along the way.

Find out more about Wheels in Motion here, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.