O₂ ability awards 2007

Changing business through positive example

Focusing on the disability business case and engaging business leadership to influence changes is working. The O₂ Ability Awards community is now made up of over 100 companies encompassing 15% of the working population. What we are achieving together in Ireland, is the beginning of something far greater. With business leadership we can influence a shift in societal thinking, one that will lead to real inclusion and equality, one that recognises an individual’s potential and ability to contribute and a right to self determination.

With decreasing replacement rates, an aging workforce, higher consumer demand and intensive competition for market share there is no better time to prove the disability business case. Such an approach emphasises the value of a person with a disability not just their needs. With such a shift in thinking we can change behaviour and practice.

The O₂ Ability Awards are not just an awards scheme. They are also about bringing a voice to what remains as one of the last great invisible issues – the value of approximately 800 million people with disabilities in the world.

I can not thank you enough, all of you who have worked with us – our winners, the sponsors who have had the vision to see what can be achieved, the media who have worked to support what we are doing, the politicians, business leaders and philanthropists who have enabled us, and all the managers and employees who have worked so hard to change the business landscape.

Change is possible. You have proved it. Thank you.

Caroline Casey, The Aisling Foundation, June 2007