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2 November

Setting the standard – first 'Benchmark for action' awards held in London

Organisations excelling in disability best practice have been honoured at an awards ceremony at HM Treasury, London.

Employers' Forum on Disability CEO Susan Scott-Parker was on hand to present the 'chief executives diamond award' to businesses who took part in the Disability Standard 2007 Benchmark Survey.

There were up to four winners in six categories, from reasonable adjustments to accessible information.

Big winners on the night were Royal Bank of Scotland Group, who scooped three awards for making reasonable adjustments, accessible information and listening to disabled people.

Other multiple winners included British Library, Lloyds TSB and BT.

Susan Scott-Parker said: “We are extremely pleased to honour these organisations that have shown excellence at disability best practice.

“Getting it right on disability isn't always easy, but all organisations who took part in the Disability Standard 2007 have shown commitment to doing so.

“Evidence shows that taking part in the Disability Standard drives performance and has positive business benefits.”

A full list of winners is below:

Chief executive's diamond award for vision and commitment on disability

Chief executive's diamond award for making reasonable adjustments

Chief executive's diamond award for accessible information

Chief executive's diamond award for listening to disabled people

Chief executive's diamond award for accessible goods and services

Chief executive's diamond award for recruiting disabled people

Ends

Notes to editors

The results of the Employers' Forum Disability Standard 2007 will be released in full at the 'Benchmark for action' conference and reception, hosted by HM Treasury, London, on 2 November.

Simon Minty will be awarding several Disability Standard participants the 'chief executive diamond award'.

For interviews, case studies or a copy of the full Employers' Forum Disability Standard report please contact:

Issy Rule
PR & Communications Coordinator
Employers' Forum on Disability press office
Email: issy.rule@employers-forum.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers.

With over 400 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 25 per cent of the UK workforce.

Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

Employers' Forum on Disability Standard 2007

The Disability Standard is the only management tool that enables organisations to accurately measure their performance on disability, in every way it affects the business, and to put in place action plans that deliver real business improvement.

116 organisations took part in the Disability Standard 2007, between them employing around two million people in the UK.