The Human Rights Commission is still accepting nominations for this year’s Human Rights Awards.

Austin’s HRC restarted the awards program last year after taking a hiatus for several years. Last year’s winners included Austin Public Schools’ Success Coach staff as well as Sister Ruth Snyder, who was nominated for her myriad charitable works within the community.

“It’s very exciting,” said Kirsten Lindbloom, chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission. “We were just so pleased with the process.”

Lindbloom said people can nominate residents for a variety of human rights work, whether it’s local or global. It’s not just individuals that can win, as groups and organizations can be nominated.

“It really is wide open for people to interpret their idea of what human rights is,” Lindbloom said.

Nomination forms are online at the HRC’s Facebook Page or by contacting Tricia Wiechmann, city of Austin human resources director, at twiechma@ci.austin.mn.us. The deadline for submissions to be mailed or e-mailed is Dec. 9. The winner will be recognized at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 16, 2012 at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre at Riverland Community College.