NEWS | THE ABILITY AWARDS

Ability Companies Revealed

March 8th, 2010

We are delighted to announce the 38 organisations that have been shortlisted for a 2010 O2 Ability Award!

Caroline Casey and Majella Fitzpatrick pictured at the announcement of the Ability Companies

Pictured at the announcement of the Ability Companies are (LtoR) Majella Fitzpatrick, Head of Corporate Affairs, Telefonica O2 Ireland and Caroline Casey, founder of Kanchi and the Ability Awards.

This year over 100 organisations participated in the Awards programme, which recognises organisations that champion the ability and value of employees and customers with a disability.

Among the 38 organisations shortlisted are 18 organisations that are first-time participants in the O2 Ability Awards programme. These include The Courts Service, Dublin Tourism, EMC, Homebase, Imaginosity, Medtronic, Trinity College Dublin and Waterways Ireland. Each participating organisation has undergone an on-site assessment undertaken by disability management consultants and Kanchi’s assessment partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The organisations shortlisted for this year’s O2 Ability Awards together employ 49,750 people in organisations spanning eight different sectors across 14 counties, with 22 of the organisations based in Dublin City or County.

Sectors represented this year include financial services and banking (AIB Group and Citi); pharmaceutical and medical (Abbott Vascular and Medtronic); ICT (Microsoft, EMC and Eircom); hotel/catering and restaurants (Four Seasons Hotel and McDonald’s); education and training (Dublin City Public Libraries & Archives and The Homework Club) and the social/voluntary sector (The Melting Pot, Roscommon). The sport and leisure sector is best represented this year with six participants including Croke Park, DCU Sport, Laois Sports Partnership, Leisure World Cork, the National Aquatic Centre and Westport Leisure Park.

Fifteen organisations from the public sector also make this year’s shortlist including The Central Fisheries Board, Iarnród Éireann, Cork County Council, Carlow Local Authorities, Fingal County Council, Cavan County Council and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Announcing the Ability Companies, Caroline Casey said: “The diversity of the Ability Companies shortlisted for an O2 Ability Award demonstrates how organisations in all areas of business recognise the value of people with disabilities to their business, as customers and as employees. It’s an exciting time – these organisations are creating a momentum for change and seizing a competitive advantage in a challenging economic environment”.

The 2010 Ability Companies are:

Abbott Vascular
AIB Group
Carlow Local Authorities
Cavan County Council
Citi
Cork County Council
Croke Park
DCU Sport
Department of Social & Family Affairs
Dublin City Public Libraries & Archive
Dublin South City Local Health Office
Dublin Tourism
Eircom
EMC
Fingal County Council
Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin
Galway University Hospitals
Homebase
Iarnród Éireann
Imaginosity
Kernan’s Eurospar
Kilkenny County Council
Laois Sports Partnership
Leisure World Cork
McDonald’s Drive-Thru, Ennis
McDonald’s, Dungarvan
Medtronic
Microsoft Ireland
National Aquatic Centre
South Dublin County Council
The Central Fisheries Board
The Citizen’s Information Board
The Courts Service
The Homework Club
The Melting Pot, Roscommon
Trinity College Dublin
Waterways Ireland
Westport Leisure Park

Many congratulations to all our Ability Companies and well done!

Ability Awards Documentary

February 22nd, 2010

Kanchi and Animo have once again teamed up to produce a two-part documentary on the O2 Ability Awards 2010. The documentary, which will be aired on RTÉ 1 on the 6th and 13th of May, will feature some of the work being done by Irish organisations in positively promoting the ability, value, and potential of people with disabilities as both employees and customers. It will also feature footage from the Awards ceremony and interviews with winners on the night.

We are delighted to also announce that Newstalk will be interviewing all of our 2010 Ability Companies. The interviews will be available to download from their website in podcast form. Many Ability Companies will also be featured live on air on Newstalk’s prime time shows.

Finally, we are thrilled to confirm that The Irish Times will once again feature an entire supplement on the O2 Ability Awards 2010 in April.

This fantastic coverage of the Ability Awards across Ireland’s leading Media organisations is a testament to the organisations participating in the Awards, and in the power of Kanchi and our “Ability Companies” to change mindsets by inspiring businesses to see the ability in people with disabilities.

105 Organisations in Ireland are Thinking Differently

January 21st, 2010

Battling snow, ice, and floods, disability management consultants and assessors are travelling the length and breath of the country conducting onsite visits to the 42 shortlisted companies in the O2 Ability Awards 2010.

A total of 105 eligible organisations registered to participate in the O2 Ability Awards 2010. 77 Private Companies and 28 Public Organisations from across 23 Industry Sectors aggregately employing 79,720 people are positively promoting the ability, value, and potential of people with disabilities as both employees and customers.

The provincial spread of registered companies reflects the ever-widening geographical reach of the Ability Awards. From Donegal to Cork, and Galway to Wicklow, despite the current economic climate, all of these organisations are challenging mindsets and encouraging a greater awareness of ability, making a difference to millions of people throughout Ireland.

On behalf of all our stakeholders, Kanchi would like to say well done and thank you for thinking differently by participating in the O2 Ability Awards 2010.

Good luck to all the organisations participating in the next stage of the programme.

International Day for People with Disabilities

December 3rd, 2009

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.

Closed for Applications

November 18th, 2009

The O2 Ability Awards 2010 are now closed for applications. Disability management consultants and assessors will now review all the applications submitted. 30 organisations will be short listed for onsite assessment. Organisations who are short listed will be advised of their onsite assessment date by the end of November.

O2 Ability Awards on Newstalk 106-108fm

November 3rd, 2009

This past Monday, you may have heard Tina Roche, CEO of Business in the Community, on Newstalk 106-108fm, on the Conor Brophy Business Show. Keep an ear out tomorrow morning for Kathleen McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Wheelchair Association, who will also be discussing the O2 Ability Awards and the business news of the day. Both Tina and Kathleen are Judges on the Final Judging Panel for the O2 Ability Awards 2010.

Kieran McGowan (Chairman of CRH), Gar Holohan (CEO of Aura Holohan Leisure Group), Danuta Gray (CEO of O2) and Caroline Casey (CEO of Kanchi) were also interviewed on Conor Brophy’s show over the past few weeks. Podcasts are available for download on Newstalk’s website.

Featured on The Afternoon Show

October 28th, 2009

The Afternoon Show, RTÉ’s live flagship daytime programme, featured a segment on The O2 Ability Awards during yesterday’s show. Seonaid Dunne, Kanchi Sounding Board Member and Chiarra O’Ranaigh, of Eye Cinema Galway and a previous winner of an O2 Ability Award, were on hand to chat about why they feel it is important for organisations to think differently and APPLY for an O2 Ability Award.

PwC Announced as Assessment Partner

October 21st, 2009

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), is the assessment partner for the O2 Ability Awards 2010. The PwC team will work alongside Kanchi’s disability management consultants in the assessment and verification of organisations shortlisted for the O2 Ability Awards. These shortlisted organisations will receive a free full-day, on-site assessment.

Speaking at the announcement, Ronan Murphy, Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers said: “We are delighted to become the assessment partner for the O2 Ability Awards. PwC is committed to having a positive impact on the people and communities around us and supporting the O2 Ability Awards is a key way of achieving this.”

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; who recognise ability and talent over disability; who see the economic and personal potential of employees and customers with disabilities, making products and services available to all.

Photo: (LtoR): Gaby Murphy, Managing Director, Kanchi; Ronan Murphy, Senior Partner, PwC and Majella Fitzpatrick, Head of Corporate Affairs, Telefonica O2 Ireland. Since 2005, over 100 businesses and organisations including Superquinn, McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland, Bank of Ireland, Kerry County Council and Aura Sport & Leisure, have been selected as O2 Ability Award organisations. 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.

Pictured at the announcement are (LtoR): Gaby Murphy, Managing Director, Kanchi; Ronan Murphy, Senior Partner, PwC and Majella Fitzpatrick, Head of Corporate Affairs, Telefonica O2 Ireland.

Two Weeks Left to Apply!

October 6th, 2009

There are only two weeks left to APPLY for an O2 Ability Award. The first step is to register your interest. The Kanchi team realises many entrants are short on time. Therefore, this year’s application process has been designed to be straightforward with minimum time required. The first step is often completed in under 10 minuets.

Remember, the first twenty organisations to complete their detailed application form will be put into a draw. The prize? Kanchi Founding CEO, Caroline Casey, will visit your organisation to congratulate you and your staff as leaders in the inclusion of people with disabilities as customers and employees.

Shortlisted for Irish Web Awards

September 25th, 2009

The O2 Ability Awards website has been shortlisted for the Irish Web Award’s category “Most Accessible Website”. This is a true honour and very exciting news. During the redesign of the the Ability Awards website, all involved made accessibly a priority. It is a delight to be recognised as we strive to meet the same best practice standards the O2 Ability Awards promote. View the full list of nominees here.

The Irish Web Awards will take place October 10th, 2009 at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Dublin. Good luck to all!

O2 Ability Awards 2010 Launches Today

September 21st, 2009

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.

Photo: Launch of O2 Ability Awards 2010

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.

New Look for O2 Ability Awards Website

September 2nd, 2009

Photo: Hosts of 2007 O2 Ability Awards Caroline Casey and Ryan Tubridy

You may have noticed the O2 Ability Awards website has a new look. The reason behind our design update is to ensure that prospective applicants have the best user experience possible. Information is clearly presented about the O2 Ability Awards, who is involved and practical examples of how to achieve best practice and much more. We invite you to explore and of course Apply!

Learn more about our previous winners in the new Case Studies Section. In this section, the 2007 Overall and Category O2 Ability Award Winners explain first hand what it means to be an O2 Ability Award Winner. See how entrants like Microsoft and Eye Cinema Galway became O2 Ability Award Winners and how they have reaped the benefits of being inclusive.

The 2010 O2 Ability Awards will be launched this September. Ready to apply or wish to know more? First step is to contact Kanchi team member Joanne to register your interest. Email: joanne@kanchi.org.