PricewaterhouseCoopers to become Assessment Partner for O2 Ability Awards.

Kanchi, the disability organisation and creator of the O2 Ability Awards, today announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers is to become the assessment partner for the O2 Ability Awards 2010 by providing some of its people to work alongside Kanchi's disability management consultants. Organisations have until Friday 6 November to enter via the website: theabilityawards.com Pictured at the announcement are (l-r): Gaby Murphy (Managing Director, Kanchi), Ronan Murphy (Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers) and Majella Fitzpatirck (Head of Corporate Affairs, Telefonica O2 Ireland).

Kanchi, the disability organisation and creator of the O2 Ability Awards, today announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is to become 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.

The O2 Ability Awards recognise organisations that champion the ability and value of employees and customers with a disability. PwC business advisors will work with Kanchi disability management consultants in assessing and verifying the top 30 organisations which enter the awards programme. These 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 02 Ability Awards. PwC is committed to having a positive impact on the people and communities around us and supporting these Ability Awards is a key way of achieving this.”

The O2 Ability Awards are open to organisations of all structures and sizes from the public and private sector 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 have until Friday, 6 November to enter via the website.

ENDS

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.

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.

About the O2 Ability Awards
The O2 Ability Awards, created and managed by Kanchi, are the first business awards in Ireland for Best Practice of the inclusion of people with disabilities, both as employees and as customers. Examining all aspects of employment and customer service, the O2 Ability Awards recognise progressive attitudes in organisations that see disability and diversity as a corporate asset and key to success. The O2 Ability Awards Programme celebrates organisations and business leaders that think and act differently about people with disabilities; seeing an employee’s strengths and abilities over any disability and recognising the economic potential of making their products and services available to all customers.

About Kanchi
Kanchi’s story began when its founder, Caroline Casey, a visually impaired social entrepreneur, trekked 1000km across India on an elephant called Kanchi. The aim of the journey was to positively change the way people think about disability, to motivate people to see the value and potential of difference. Kanchi, named after Caroline’s elephant, believes that disability is society’s elephant in the room – the thing we don’t want to talk about due to misunderstanding and fear of getting it wrong. Kanchi works to change that. It works to change the way we see and understand disability so that the 650 million people in the world with a disability are seen for their ability and value in society.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for our clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.