Criteria
A leading panel of experts will assess entrants on good practice and continuous improvement based on the following criteria:
Recruitment
The measures taken to make disabled people aware of job vacancies, enable participation in the interview and selection process and to be recruited into the workplace.
Learning and development
The measures taken to provide instruction and training which takes into account individual needs and enables disabled people to do their job and achieve continuous development.
Access
The practical measures taken to adjust workstations and IT equipment in the workplace, offer flexible working practices, to enable disabled people and people with a health condition to be a valuable and effective part of the workforce.
Career Development
The opportunities and support given to disabled people in order that they can develop their career and achieve promotion.
Inclusion
The measures taken by managers to inform themselves and their employees of disability issues (for example, the etiquette of disability, adjustments and support required) and initiatives to secure equality of opportunity through work.
The measures taken by managers, employees and their trades unions to ensure that disabled people are fully included as a part of the organisation's team.
Validation
All organisational entries must be validated by a disabled employee.
The judging process
All entries will be judged by six separate regional panels made of experts from various disability groups and organisations.
The winners of the regional heats will go forward to the national judging panel to decide on the overall winner of each category.
The national winners will be announced at the Awards event in London on 15 October 2007.
