Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ability Company?
An Ability Company is an organisation that has been shortlisted for an O2 Ability Award in one or more of the six categories. These organisations have successfully completed a detailed application form and an onsite assessment, carried out by disability management experts and Kanchi’s assessment partner, PricewaterhouseCoppers. The preliminary and final judging panels will decide what Ability Companies will win each of the nine O2 Ability Awards. The winners will be announced at the O2 Ability Awards ceremony in Dublin on the 12th of May 2010.
Why enter the O2 Ability Awards ?
You might be wondering why your organisation should enter the O2 Ability Awards rather than some of the other awards programmes that are out there. Here are a few reasons why:
- The O2 Ability Awards are completely free to enter and if you are one of the thirty shortlisted organisations, you will receive a free day’s consultancy from our disability management experts.
- The O2 Ability Awards were the first awards of their kind to assess and award organisations for best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities in business.
- The O2 Ability Awards are endorsed by Ireland’s leaders in the disability and business community, as is evident from our judges, sponsors and endorsers.
- The Ability Awards are an international programme, founded in Ireland by Kanchi, and will be laucnhed in Spain this year.
What is an O2 Ability Award?
It is a business award for best practice in the employment and inclusion of people with disabilities in business. The Ability Awards were the idea of Caroline Casey, the founder of Kanchi, the organisation behind the O2 Ability Awards.
What are the aims of the O2 Ability Awards?
- To highlight what companies are doing, not what they are not doing. You may be surprised to learn that your organisation is doing more then you are aware of!
- To promote the employment and retention of people with disabilities and to highlight the needs of customers with disabilities.
- To change thinking and encourage organisations to focus on ability and opportunity, rather than on disability.
What are the advantages of applying?
- New customers: helps your organisation recognise and seize opportunities to reach new audiences and access new untapped markets.
- Stand out from the competition: enables your organisation to distinguish itself from its competitors, build brand values and enhance employee and customer loyalty.
- Improve performance: improves your organisation’s performance by encouraging self-assessment, learning and development.
- Networking opportunities: introduces you to business leaders and CEOs of other successful organisations.
Learn more about the benefits to your organisation.
Who can apply?
Any organisation, large or small, from the private, public or not-for-profit sector can apply.
If I have already won an O2 Ability Award, can I still enter?
Yes.
How much does it cost to apply?
Nothing‚ it’s free. In addition, the top 30 shortlisted organisations will receive a FREE one day onsite assessment with expert disability management consultants.
When is the application deadline?
The O2 Ability Awards 2011 will be launched in February 2011. If you are interesting in participating in the next O2 Ability Awards, please e-mail sineadh@kanchi.org
We don’t have any employees with a disability, should we apply?
Yes. The awards are not about how many people with disabilities you employ, they’re about how prepared you are to employ someone with a disability or how prepared you are to serve a customer with a disability.
We are employing people with disabilities but don’t really think it’s to an award winning standard?
The O2 Ability Awards were founded to help companies on their journey to best practice in the employment of people with disabilities in Ireland. Our goal is to create a truly positive image of disability. What comes as second nature to your organisation, may be the first step on the ladder for others. You may be surprised to find out that you’re doing more than the previous O2 Ability Awards winners. Find out more about previous O2 Ability Awards winners in Case Studies.
I’m pressed for time, how much work is involved in applying?
The application process is designed to facilitate busy people and includes “Save for Later” functionality. Organisations can apply under one category or up to a total of six categories. It’s a detailed application form but the short list of questions only require one sentence answers and allow organisations to reference internal documents rather than asking for essay style answers. Learn more about The Competition Process.
Which categories should I apply in?
There are six different categories and organisations can enter in all categories or just selected categories. Each category is defined and outlined in the Award Category Guide.
Who will be judging the O2 Ability Awards?
To guarantee transparency of process and unbiased results the judging is carried out by two separate panels: Preliminary Judging Panel and Final Judging Panel. Both Panels of Judges include experts in the fields of disability management, corporate and business affairs, equality management as well as people with disabilities. Meet the judges here.
Who should I contact with further questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact the team at Kanchi with any further enquiries. We have a lovely O2 Ability Awards 2010 brochure we would be more than happy to send you.
Telephone: +353 (0)1 634 0018
E-mail: info@kanchi.org
