Winners and sponsors of the 2020 Access Alliance People's Choice Accessibility Awards for Business on stage with Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Hon Alfred Ngaro, Jenny Salesa MP, Chrissie Cowan, Access Alliance Chair and CEO Kāpo Māori Aotearoa.

Launched in 2020, the Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business is a way for people with access needs, and their whānau, to recognise businesses who are making a difference either through the provision of accessible goods and services or by their employment culture and processes.

Whether you are a disabled person, a senior, dyslexic, carer of young children, temporarily injured, a migrant, or someone for whom English is a second language – these awards are an opportunity to celebrate and spotlight businesses that removing barriers for all people with temporary or permanent impairment, difference, or disability.

The inaugural 2020 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business was a huge success. Small, medium and large businesses, from Northland to Southland, were nominated by those in their communities who appreciated their efforts in modelling accessibility, proving that accessibility is good for business.

In a stunning presentation attended by a range of dignitaries including the Minister for Disability Issues Hon Carmel Sepuloni, businesses and organisations who have opened their doors - be they physical or virtual - to their staff and customers, irrespective of access needs, were rewarded and recognised for their efforts.

The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business

When nominations open in February, the 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business will be an opportunity to showcase examples of businesses providing accessibility in challenging times and in different domains of everyday life including the digital space, the built environment, social inclusion, education, employment, leisure, goods, services, tourism and hospitality.

The 2021 Access Alliance People’s Choice Awards for Accessible Business presentation will be held in June 2020 (date to be announced) in a 90 minute hybrid live/virtual event showcasing nominees and ‘domain’ winners - and the accessible innovations they have implemented - in a lively multimedia presentation. The audience and presentation will include people with lived experience of access needs, as well as their whānau, supporters and allies. Invitations will be issued to VIPs including the Prime Minister, the Minister for Disability Issues, the Human Rights Commissioner and other relevant portfolio holders and stakeholders.

The 2021 event will culminate in real-time online voting for the Supreme Access Alliance People’s Choice Accessibility Award for Business.

Winners at the 2020 Inaugural Access Alliance People’s Choice Awards for Business

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Website - It’s Accessible, Auckland

Nominated because “They mentor, educate, and offer advice for the disabled community in an online space”.

It's Accessible's Dean Brennan receiving award, with Access Alliance's Ite Lemalu.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Retailer – The Warehouse Group, Nationwide

Nominated because “They have a demonstrated commitment to accessibility. They are NZ's first retailer to be awarded the Accessibility Tick".

The Warehouse Group's Tanya Colvin receiving award, on stage with Amy Hogan, Juliana Carvalho and Geethma Weliwatta.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Service Provider - NextStep New Zealand, Tauranga

Nominated because “They are a gym designed to be fully accessible, welcoming and cater to the needs of a wide range of disabilities, health conditions and/or injuries”.

NextStep's Aaron Balsom on stage receiving award from Chris Orr.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Education Provider - Auckland University of Technology

Nominated because “They provide essential, practical, and thoughtful support within their Disability Support Services, community, and culture throughout the university”.

AUT's Dr Andrew Codling receiving award, on stage with Amy Hogan and Lisa Reid.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Social Inclusion - Sign Equity, Canterbury

Nominated because “They go to businesses and shops to teach NZSL so they can communicate with Deaf customers and employees”.

Sign Equity's Brendan Fraser on stage receiving award from Natasha Cloete.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Transport Provider - Driving Miss Daisy Mangere Bridge, Auckland

Nominated because “They go out of their way to be flexible and responsive to people's individual needs".

Driving Miss Daisy's Justin Bryce receiving award, on stage with Amy Hogan and Vivian Naylor.

2020 People's Choice Best Accessible Employer – Thumbs Up Charitable Trust, Lower Hutt

Nominated because “They accommodate all conditions and don't see someone's disability as a reason to deny them employment".

2020 People's Choice Supreme Accessibility Award - Sign Equity, Canterbury

“This organisation was nominated multiple times in several categories, a testament to the support of their clients and community. It is also an organisation led by a person with lived experience of having an access need, an experience that motivated her to set up this social enterprise”.

Sign Equity's Brendan Fraser receiving award, on stage with Hon Alfred Ngaro, Amy Hogan, Hon Carmel Sepuloni and Jenny Salesa MP.