An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD today launched the campaign to encourage organisations to enter the O2 Ability Awards – business awards for best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities as employees and customers. Created by the founder of disability organisation, Kanchi and visually impaired social entrepreneur, Caroline Casey, the O2 Ability Awards promote organisations that think and act differently in relation to people with disabilities.
Since 2005, over 100 businesses and organisations including Superquinn, McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland, Bank of Ireland, Mayo County Council, Kerry Local Authorities and Aura Sport & Leisure, have been selected as O2 Ability Award organisations.
The O2 Ability Awards are open to organisations of all structures and sizes from the public and private sectors as well as not-for-profit and voluntary organisations. The programme rewards organisations that have put disability policies into action, delivering real and tangible business benefits both internally and externally.
Organisations are encouraged to enter online at www.theabilityawards.com before 6 November 2009. On completion of applications, thirty organisations will be shortlisted and will receive a free on-site assessment audit which will be carried out by independent disability management consultants. Awards will be presented across six categories and there will be three overall winners: one each from the private and non-private sectors as well as an award for the Best Small Company. A televised series documenting a selection of organisations that participate in the O2 Ability Awards will be broadcast in May 2010. The O2 Ability Awards is supported by Telefónica O2 Ireland, FÁS, The Irish Times, Newstalk 106-108fm and RTÉ.
Kanchi founder, Caroline Casey said: “In the current economic climate, recognising ability in business is more important than ever before. In 2005 we began a journey with the O2 Ability Awards – a journey that to date has seen over 100 organisations from across all areas of business and sections of society champion change through their inclusion of people with disabilities as employees and customers. That is why we want to hear from organisations, large and small, that are recognising ability and talent over disability and in doing so are showing leadership in this area.”
Danuta Gray, CEO of Telefónica O2 Ireland, said: “Embracing diversity has always been at the heart of O2’s business and our involvement with the Ability Awards since its inception has enabled us to learn ways in which we can take this commitment a step further for the benefit of our employees, customers and society as a whole”.
The success of the O2 Ability Awards in Ireland coupled with the ongoing support of Telefónica will see the Ability Awards launch in Spain during 2010, the first of several countries outside of Ireland where it is envisaged the Awards programme will be established.
