Achievements of people with disabilities and service providers in the sector have long-gone unnoticed in Katherine.
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Typically, larger Darwin organisations scoop up the majority of accolades at the National Disability Services awards, and Katherine is even less celebrated interstate.
But all that is about to change with a local organisation taking recognition into their own hands.
NT Friendship and Support, a not-for-profit supporting individuals and families living with a disability, has set a date for Katherine's first Disability Service Award.
"This is about recognising the achievements of individuals with disabilities as well as the achievements of organisations and support workers," CEO of NT Friendship and Support, Stephanie Ransome said.
"We have a large number of organisations who work with people with disabilities... they are consistently having to think outside the box to effect good service provision."
Following changes to the NDIS, which put people living with a disability at the centre of decision making, service providers have had to work harder and smarter, especially in remote areas.
"Canberra has this view it just happens in remote regions, but we have to be very creative to make it happen," Ms Ransome said.
"If we don't work together to create opportunities for services to happen in a remote community, it just won't happen."
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At the centre of Katherine's disability sector, Ms Ransome said she was constantly hearing of "fantastic stories about people with disabilities".
"Achievements for a person with a disability are often the smallest things which have the biggest impact, we wanted to recognise those moments.
"It comes down to what the individual has achieved and it could be anything from someone learning to tie their shoe lace, or going to school for two days in a row because their disability is a barrier, or someone who has successfully applied for a job."
The awards ceremony is set to coincide with the International Day of People with Disability, in December.
Recognising the great work happening in the town for people with disabilities, the awards will celebrate six categories, including a junior, youth and adult with a disability, a support worker and a service provider.
There will also be a people's choice award.
"We are looking for creative nomination submissions," Ms Ransome said.
"People with disabilities have different ways of communicating, and not everyone can talk, read or write."
The award ceremony is set to go ahead on December 7 at the Ibis in Katherine.
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