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Rehab and Excellence Ireland Quality Association, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Launch New Accessibility Award for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

23 June 2009: Rehab and Excellence Ireland Quality Association, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, have today launched a new accessibility award for the hospitality and tourism industry which aims to ensure an accessible environment for customers and staff with disabilities. The new ABLE Business Excellence Award will be open to hotels, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfasts and wider tourism attractions.

Fáilte Ireland commented: “The ABLE Award replaces the Validated Accessible Scheme which has been in operation since 2002 and provides the tourist industry with a framework in which to grow market share, whilst adhering to the highest recognised standards available to people with disabilities. These new awards provide for a more comprehensive, modern and transparent assessment of accessibility standards that include accessibility, customer service and the employment of people with disabilities.” Improving accessibility is important for customers and staff with disabilities in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Michael Horgan, Rehab's Director of Enterprises, comments: “Rehab launched the national ABLE Awards in June of last year as the new best practice standard and quality mark for accessibility. This partnership with Fáilte Ireland provides participants of the ABLE Award with a key differentiator in attracting business from people with disabilities and in the recruitment of people with disabilities. Many hospitality businesses are already recognising the importance of accessibility and will value what the ABLE Award will bring to their business.”

Irene Collins, Managing Director of EIQA, adds: “At EIQA, we support companies in achieving and maintaining the highest standard of quality practices available in Ireland. We will be responsible for assessing, monitoring and awarding these awards in the tourism and retail sectors. At a time of unprecedented economic challenge, it is essential to ensure that our hospitality industry is best placed to maximise its business efforts.

“Ultimately, the ABLE Award strengthens the tourist industry's access to a larger customer base, through the provision of excellent accessibility and customer service to people with disabilities, by ensuring that the built environment meets the needs of people with disabilities and indeed those who acquire a disability whilst in employment.”

For more information on the ABLE Award, email ableawards@rehab.ie or see www.able.ie.

ENDS

Contact: Petrina Duggan
EIQA
Office: 01 6604100
email: pduggan@eiqa.com
Web: www.able.ie

Contact: Dara Duffy
Rehab
Office: 01 2057268
email: dara.duffy@rehab.ie
Web: www.able.ie

About Failte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland was established to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy. Fáilte Ireland is currently planning a marketing campaign featuring both online and printed material to promote and market this new ABLE Business Excellence Award.

About Rehab

Rehab is a leading non-governmental organisation which works towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential, working in local communities to provide high-quality services and opportunities to people who need them.

Over 3,600 Rehab staff members provide health and social care, training and education, and rehabilitation, employment and commercial services in Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands and Poland. The people who currently use Rehab's services include young people and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, people with autism and people with an acquired brain injury.

A range of essential services are also provided to older people, carers and others who are marginalised. Every year, more than 56,000 people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in over 200 locations. For more information see www.rehab.ie.

About EIQA

The Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) has been creating 'Highest Quality Standards' and 'Continuous Improvement Programmes' since 1969. The original Hygiene mark was launched in 1978 and the Q Mark was launched in 1982.

EIQA currently conducts in excess of 3,000 audits and assessments in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom each year and is the creator of the 'Quality of Care Standard' for nursing homes and 'The Leisure Centre Hygiene and Safety Standard'.

Recognised as an international leader for the advancement of quality practices and business improvement, EIQA is Ireland's National Quality Association. EIQA is the National Partnership Organisation to EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) and EQUASS (European Quality Assurance for Social Services).

All EIQA programmes are based on the principles of continuous improvement making them the leading creators and guardians of the highest standards of quality available in Ireland and Europe.