Disability Services Minister Curtis Pitt has announced nominations for this year's Disability Action Week Awards are now open.

Mr Pitt said the prestigious awards, held in September, recognised and rewarded individuals and organisations who help people with a disability in our community.

"Disability touches the lives of thousands of Queenslanders, their families and carers," Mr Pitt said.

"These awards give us all a chance to acknowledge the fantastic work being done by individuals and organisations to make our communities more inclusive for people with a disability.

"Disability Action Week reminds us to focus on a person's abilities, aspirations and the contribution of people with a disability in every aspect of life."

Mr Pitt said these awards would recognise the mighty contribution carers and their organisations make to the community.

"Carers reach out and support people with a disability - they are worth their weight in gold," he said.

"If you were to tally up all the work carers and their organisations do across the country, it would run to around $40 billion a year."

Mr Pitt said the Disability Action Week Awards were a highlight of Disability Action Week, held from 18 to 24 September.

The 2011 Disability Action Week Award categories are:

• Individual
• Community Organisation
• Education and the Arts
• Private Enterprise
• Government
• Media
• Reconciliation and Diversity
• Outstanding Initiative

Nominations for the Disability Action Week Awards close Thursday 18 August.