SmallBusiness.wa.gov.au
The Small Business Specialists
Phone: 131 BIZ
Website: www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au
13 September 2010
Time is running out for eligible small business operators around the State to enter the 2010 Count Me In Awards, being conducted by the Disability Services Commission.
There are seven categories within the awards including awards for employment, and for customer service.
SBDC Acting Managing Director, Jacky Finlayson, says the Awards are a great chance to congratulate those businesses who have recognised and embraced the need to provide employment opportunities for people of all abilities in our community.
“There are over 195,000 small businesses in Western Australia and more than a third of those businesses provide employment for others,” Ms Finlayson said.
“It is highly likely that many small business employers in Western Australia would qualify to enter the ‘2010 Count Me In Awards’.”
According to Disability Services Commission Director General, Dr Ron Chalmers, a job is one of the most significant roles in most people’s lives and provides economic security, self-esteem, friends and ongoing learning and development.
“Employer commitment and flexibility, and getting the right types of support are therefore key pathways to assisting people with disability to secure employment in meaningful work,” Dr Chalmers said.
“The awards recognise the efforts of those working towards a more inclusive society in Western Australia,” he said.
The Barry MacKinnon Award for Employment is presented to a business that has created a welcoming and inclusive workplace for an employee/s with disability. The award for customer service acknowledges initiatives by private sector organisations to enhance their customer service for people of all abilities including people with a disability.
All category winners will also be considered for the Dr Louisa Alessandri Award for Excellence.
The 2010 Count Me In Awards are part of a Disability Awareness Week and will be presented on 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability, nominations close 5pm on Friday 1 October 2010.
For further information visit http://www.disability.wa.gov.au/countmeinawards.html email cmiawards@dsc.wa.gov.au or telephone 9426 9264.
Media contact: Di Graham on (08) 9220 0218 or 0432 750 565
