THE OLYMPIC Development Authority (ODA) scooped a prestigious award for empowering disabled people at Breakthrough UK’s third annual Independent Living Awards 2010.
The public body, which ensures that the 2012 London games will be open to everyone, scooped the ‘accessible public transport’ category when North West-based Breakthrough UK held its black-tie awards ceremony in Manchester.
Breakthrough UK is a not-for-profit organisation at the forefront of tackling barriers to employment and independence experienced by many disabled people.
Other winners this year include: Pathway Associates, Accrington, Lancashire; Advanced Housing and Support, Witney, Oxfordshire; GGI Office Furniture, Darwen, Lancashire; Lawn and Leaf, Saffron Walden, Essex; and the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People.
The prestigious awards ceremony was hosted in conjunction with the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mark Hackett, at Manchester Town Hall. It was also attended by the new Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP.
Breakthrough UK’s chief executive Lorraine Gradwell said: “The calibre of the businesses and organisations which have been competing for the awards this year is simply outstanding.
“Independence is about making our own decisions concerning how and where disabled people live, about being part of communities and about having the support we need to be active and contributing citizens.
“These awards celebrate progress and recognise and applaud the work of the winners and runners-up in supporting independence for disabled people.”
The winner of the ‘accessible information’ category is Advance Housing and Support which is a group of charitable organisations providing housing, support and employment services to meet the needs of people in the community who have either a learning disability or a mental health problem.
It won the award for creating an innovative website which includes Makaton signing as well as a huge range of accessible materials – including five different versions of its annual report and ‘easy read’ tenancy agreements.
Advance Housing and Support also won the Kevin Hyett Award for ‘best independent living initiative’ for its ongoing work and energetic commitment to promoting inclusion and independent living.
The winner of the ‘peer support’ category is Pathway Associates which is a training and consultancy organisation which promotes inclusion by supporting disabled children and adults within their communities.
GGI Office Furniture scooped the ‘good practice in employing disabled people (public/private sector) category. The company offers a broad range of products designed to meet the needs of modern workplaces and has consistently placed a premium on employing disabled people.
The winner of the ‘good practice in employing disabled people (third sector)’ category is the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People (NCDP) which works for “independence and equality” for disabled people across the county.
The winner of a new category called ‘young disabled entrepreneur of the year’ is 29-year-old Gareth Thompson of gardening services company Lawn and Leaf.
Breakthrough UK, which was formed in 1997 in a partnership with Manchester City Council and local disabled people’s organisations, champions independent living and aims to empower and support disabled people to make their own choices, to access mainstream jobs and to achieve their full potential.
Breakthrough UK has offices in Manchester and Liverpool, while operating to influence key legislation and to benefit disabled people throughout the UK.
2010 winners are:
Kevin Hyett Award for Best Independent Living Initiative:
Advance Housing and Support
Award for Good Practice in the Employment of Disabled People – public and private sector:
Winner: GGI Office Furniture
Highly Commended: Sellafield
Award for Good Practice in the Employment of Disabled People – third sector:
Winner: Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People
Highly Commended: CHANGE
Accessible transport:
Winner: Olympic Delivery Authority
Accessible information:
Winner: Advance Housing & Support
Highly Commended: CHANGE
Peer support:
Winner: Pathway Associates
Highly Commended: Deaf Parenting UK
Young Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Gareth Thompson – Lawn and Leaf
Highly Commended: Jason Rhodes – I C Jason Rhodes
PICTURED: New disability minister Maria Miller at the Independent Living awards
