Companies are increasingly taking steps to accommodate disability in the workplace, according to the organisers of the O2 Ability Awards.
The awards, which acknowledge organisations that recognise the contributions that people with disabilities - whether employees or customers - make to business, with the aim of changing businesses' mindsets through positive example, are now in their third year.
Research conducted by TNS mrbi for O2, which sponsors the awards programme, found that three-quarters of the organisations that have participated in the scheme over the past two years have made positive changes to their organisations' policies regarding disability.
Almost all - 98 per cent - say they would encourage other organisations to participate in the awards programme.
The Ability Awards are run by the Aisling Foundation in partnership with Access Ability and Disability Management Consultants, and with support from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the State training agency, Fás.
Apart from O2, the awards receive backing from The Irish Times, NewsTalk 106 and RTÉ.
Winners to date include Dell, Bank of Ireland, McDonalds, Aura Sports and Leisure Management, and Kerry local authorities.
Four out of five respondents to the survey said the awards had raised awareness within their organisation about disability in the workplace, with 74 per cent changing policy or the working of the organisation as a result.
More than half the groups that have entered the awards since 2004 have introduced new products or services, or made changes to existing ones, with a view to winning new custom from people with disabilities.
Caroline Casey, founder of the Aisling Foundation and the Ability Awards, said: "What the results show is that more and more organisations are proactively taking steps to accommodate disability, whether it's from an employee's perspective or that of a customer.
"The benefits of this are huge in that the traditional mindset of disability is being constantly challenged . . . The findings clearly show the impact the awards are having on business - policy is being positively changed for the benefit of all."
The survey says more than 90 per cent of participants claim to have flexible working hours and wheelchair accessible toilets for workers with either temporary or permanent disabilities. More than half have the option of working from home.
TNS mrbi said 80 per cent of respondents recognised dyslexia as a disability, with 74 per cent recognising depression and 48 per cent recognising anxieties or phobias. "Of those organisations surveyed, 82 per cent said they already have mechanisms in place to assist employees with depression," the report said.
Speaking at the launch of this year's awards, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was heartening to see an increasing number of organisations getting involved.
The closing date for submissions is October 20th.
www.theabilityawards.com
