Ryan Tubridy and Caroline Casey, founder of Kanchi and creator of the O2 Ability Awards, joined forces today for the countdown to the O2 Ability Awards that take place on Wednesday 12th May at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Caroline Casey and Ryan Tubridy

The pair will co-host the awards that see’s 38 organisations shortlisted for an O2 Ability Award, which recognises their efforts to champion change in the area of disability at work and in wider society.

Celebrating their 4th year, the O2 Ability Awards received entries from over 100 organisations that together employ 49,750 people, spanning eight different sectors across 14 counties.

Mary Robinson will be in attendance to present an award – three overall winners (one from the private sector, non-private sector and best small company), six category winners and the ‘Kanchi’ special recognition award will be presented.  Overall winners in the past include Aura Sport & Leisure, Mayo County Council and McDonald’s franchise at Shannon.

The Awards event will feature in a special documentary on the O2 Ability Awards broadcasting on RTÉ One on Thursday 13th May at 10.45pm.
 
The first of its kind in the world, the O2 Ability Awards was first established in 2005 and since then over 100 organisations have been recognised for embracing diversity in terms of employing people with disabilities or targeting them as customers. The success of the O2 Ability Awards in Ireland coupled with the ongoing support of Telefónica saw the Ability Awards launch in Spain in April 2010, a move that highlights Ireland is leading the way in changing the working landscape for people with disabilities.

Other guest presenters at the awards show include Chair of the O2 Ability Awards Denis O’Brien, Harry Crosbie, former TV3 Presenter Lorraine Keane, one of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs and Dragon’s Den star Sean Gallagher, broadcaster, Claire Byrne, former Miss World Rosanna Davison, TV Presenter Jenny Buckley, TV3 Apprentice winner Steve Rayner, magician Keith Barry and former international Irish soccer player Packie Bonner.