Happy International Day for People with Disabilities! This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and benefits of integration in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.

Here at Kanchi, we are celebrating by recounting the success thus far of the O2 Ability Awards 2010. This year, 105 eligible organisations registered to participate in the O2 Ability Awards 2010. Of these registered organisations, 85 submitted final detailed application forms. A record breaking 70% of these were new organisations: organisations which had not been deemed an “Ability Company” by Kanchi’s O2 Ability Awards before. Organisations from across 25 different industry sectors and 21 Counties applied.

It should be noted the standard of applications was incredibly high this year. Therefore, 42 organisations will receive on-site assessments. This is a testiment to the commitment Irish companies are making to the business case for disability.

Gaby Murphy, Kanchi’s Managing Director said: “It is fitting that we can today announce details of the growing level of interest in the O2 Ability Awards which reflects Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations International Day of Disabilities. The quality and calibre of entries this year is significant in terms of organisations not only embracing disability policies put putting them into action – there is clear evidence of a positive shift in practice when it comes to accommodating both employees and customers with disabilities”.

A full list of companies shortlisted will be released during February 2010. A televised series documenting a selection of organisations that participate in the O2 Ability Awards will be broadcast on RTÉ in May.