THE Sixth Business DisABILITY Awards was launched in Toowoomba with more than 55 official event partners and sponsors.

Eight awards will be presented at the Gala Awards on Thursday, September 13, at the Armitage Centre in Toowoomba.

They include the Judy Antonio Memorial Award, which was established to honour the legacy of Judy Antonio who lost her battle with motor neurone disease two years ago.

This year's awards will also honour the legacy of Elissa Flanagan with a scholarship in her name.

Elissa was just 28 when she was involved in a fatal road accident on her way home from the awards event in 2015.

Plans are well underway to make the September gala dinner a fitting celebration and night to remember with guest speakers, husband and wife duo Mat Rogers and Chloe Maxwell.

Mat Rogers retired from rugby and rugby league at the top of his game after five years representing his country with the Australian Wallabies.

In 2008 he married long-time partner Chloe Maxwell, a successful model and television personality.

After their son Max was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, they founded the charity 4ASD Kids to help under-privileged families fund their children's therapy for autism.

The awards are open to individuals, businesses and community groups across six categories and the scholarship.

Nominations and entries close August 31.

To nominate, enter or purchase gala dinner tickets visit www.tbda.net.au