RMIT wins workplace culture award for inclusion and accessibility innovation

RMIT wins workplace culture award for inclusion and accessibility innovation

RMIT University’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) team has been awarded the 2025 AHEIA Award for Workplace Culture Excellence, recognising their leadership in fostering a more inclusive and accessible workplace culture across the university. 

This award category acknowledges initiatives demonstrating outstanding achievement in promoting positive workplace culture within higher education institutions. 

RMIT’s IDEA team has made significant improvements to the university’s workplace adjustment processes, enhancing support for staff with disabilities and neurodivergence. 

The team redesigned the workplace adjustment process, embedded inclusive practices across recruitment, facilities, IT, and leadership and established dedicated support through a Workplace Adjustments Officer. 

As a result, the number of staff accessing workplace adjustments increased dramatically, from just four in 2023 to 93 in 2024. 

(L-R) Stephen Morrison, Tarra Waller, Elaine Fitzgerald, Gaynor Witts and Fiona Notley (L-R) Stephen Morrison, Tarra Waller, Elaine Fitzgerald, Gaynor Witts and Fiona Notley

Gaynor Witts, RMIT’s Chief People Officer, expressed pride in the small team, led by Tara Waller, Matt Lewis and Carla Rawlins, who have made such an impact. 

“Their efforts have embedded universal design (making spaces and systems accessible to everyone) in recruitment, enhanced access to facilities, improved staff engagement, and driven inclusive leadership practice, making a significant contribution to RMIT’s goal of being ‘inclusive by design – for everyone, everywhere, all the time,” she said. 

The team also developed the Sustainability and Equity Evaluation (SEE) tool in partnership with RMIT’s Sustainability team, now used in major university-wide projects to proactively embed inclusive and sustainable practices at the design stage. 

Their influence extends sector-wide, sharing learnings with the Australian Disability Network and other universities to raise the bar for inclusion across higher education. 

“The IDEA team truly embodies what it means to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose. Their work has amplified the voices of those who might otherwise have gone unheard, creating lasting change across the University. This award is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication and commitment,” Gaynor said. 

The award was presented at the AHEIA Australian Higher Education Awards ceremony during the AHEIA Conference Dinner on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, in Melbourne. 

22 May 2025

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22 May 2025

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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