Seven public bodies awarded Excellence Through Accessibility Awards by National Disability Authority
Release Date: 12/03/2008
Seven public bodies from around Ireland were today presented with awards from the National Disability Authority (NDA) that recognise their achievements in integrating accessibility into their service provision. The Excellence through Accessibility (EtA) Awards were held at Croke Park, Dublin today (Wednesday 3rd December- International Day for Persons with Disabilities). The integration of accessibility into the design and provision of services enables people with disabilities access the public organisations’ facilities with ease.
This year four awards were made at the “Excellence” level, demonstrating public bodies’ commitment to embedding accessibility into the very heart of their operations. Four public bodies achieved the ‘Quality’ standard. The Awards reflect the level of accessibility that has been reached across key aspects of public bodies’ services including: buildings and facilities, publications, websites, customer services, human resources and procurement procedures.
Presenting the awards, Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Disability and Mental Health John Moloney, TD, said "It is very fitting to acknowledge the outstanding achievements by the seven public bodies receiving awards here to-day on this the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Greater accessibility for people with disabilities to public services is an important element of the National Disability Strategy. I commend the recipients who have demonstrated, by their commitment to accessibility, that they are making a real and tangible difference to the quality of life of people with disabilities. I consider that the EtA award scheme is a fine example of what can be done to recognise the quality of services being provided to people with disabilities".
Ms. Siobhan Barron, Director of the NDA said, “the NDA is working closely with public bodies to support them in achieving a high standard of accessibility. The interest in the award scheme continues to grow which is reflective of the commitment and determination by public sector bodies to ensure people with disabilities can more easily access their services. We would hope that the good practices developed through participating in the award scheme will be shared and replicated by other bodies both in the public and private sector as they recognise the benefits both for their customers with disabilities and services overall.”
The Award winners were:
- Belmullet Area Office, Mayo County Council
- Clones Library, Monaghan County Council
- Cork Revenue Commissioners, Co. Cork
- Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis, Clare County Council
- Scarriff Area Office, Clare County Council
- Galway County Hall, Galway County Council
- Sligo County Hall, Sligo County Council
- New Ross Library, Wexford County Council
ENDS.
Note to Editors:
The Excellence through Accessibility (EtA) Awards were developed in partnership with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and were launched by President Mary McAleese in October 2005. All public bodies who have received the Award can now display the Excellence through Accessibility logo on their website, publications and at reception areas in their buildings and thus informing the general public that these services are accessible.
The National Disability Authority is the lead state agency on disability issues, providing independent expert advice to Government on policy and practice.