Innovation Meets Inclusion: Pathways Program’s Big Win!

We’re over the moon to share some very special news—the Reptile Encounters Pathways Program has been awarded the 2025 Enablement Award for Most Outstanding Innovation in the NDIS/Disability Sector!

Presented in the Excellence in Education and Training category, this award recognises the life-changing impact of programs that go beyond the classroom—and we’re proud to say this is the second time the Pathways Program has received this honour, with our first win back in 2023!

What Makes the Pathways Program Special?

The Pathways Program offers young autistic adults the chance to engage with Australian wildlife in a fun, interactive, and meaningful way. Through real-life animal encounters and engaging science communication, we create accessible, empowering learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity and connection.

We believe education should feel like an adventure, and for many of our participants, these sessions are a highlight of their week.

Learn More About Pathways Here

A Repeat Win for Inclusive Innovation

Winning this award once was an incredible honour. Winning it twice is a powerful affirmation that what we’re doing truly matters.

The Enablement Awards spotlight outstanding contributions in the disability care sector across Australasia. Every nominee is judged on their innovation, performance, and courage to do things differently. To be recognised again in 2025 shows just how strong and sustainable our Pathways Program has become.

Why This Award Matters

The Enablement Awards celebrate outstanding innovation and achievement in the disability care sector across Australasia. They recognise how quickly the sector is growing and highlight individuals and programs that are raising the bar with fresh ideas, bold thinking, and great customer care. 

Winners are chosen by asking: ‘Is this claimant the best performed, most meritorious, most innovative, and most courageous in the category?’ Awards are only given where excellence truly shines each year.

To us, this award celebrates more than just innovation; it celebrates community, mentorship, and connection.

Through the program, participants build practical life skills, explore interests in animal care and conservation, and experience what it’s like to be part of a working team. Our passionate educators and mentors create a consistent, encouraging environment where learning happens organically—and confidence builds naturally.

It’s about belonging. And that’s something we’re deeply proud of.

Thank You to Our Community

We couldn’t have done this without the incredible support of our community: the participants, families, support workers, educators, and organisations who have embraced the Pathways Program and helped it grow.

To our participants: As they say in the classics: this one’s for you! Thank you for being part of this journey! Your enthusiasm, resilience, and personality light up our workplace every single week. You inspire us more than you know.

To our Facilitators and wider team: thank you for the care, consistency, and heart you bring to every session. The mentoring and relationships you build are the foundation of this program. You’re not just teaching wildlife care; you’re helping young people gain independence, grow socially, and build meaningful pathways into the future.

We’re also incredibly grateful to the Enablement Awards panel for recognising the unique contribution our program makes to disability education in Australia. The events they run shine a light on the many dedicated individuals and businesses who, often without even realising it, make the world a better place through their compassion, resilience, and determination.

What’s Next?

We’re as committed as ever to growing the Pathways Program and making sure even more young adults have access to this kind of experience. As we celebrate this recognition, we’re also looking ahead—to new sessions, new friendships, and even more laughter, learning, and lizards.

Here’s to another year of connection, growth, and scaly sidekicks!