Positive Action Awards 2006

The Positive Action Awards took place on the 12th September in Warrington, to reward businesses, service providers and individuals that are making a real difference to the lives of disabled people and carers in England's Northwest.

Disabled people across the region spent the last 3 months nominating employers, businesses, services providers and individuals who promote independence, deliver accessible and/or inclusive services or maintain exemplary employment practices for the disabled people and carers in throughout the region.

There are 1.4 million disabled people and 750,000 carers in the Northwest. Organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the awards provided an opportunity to promote the innovative work undertaken by organisations and individuals in the region to support both disabled people and their carers.

Dave Thompson MBE, Event Co-ordinator, said:

"This year's awards have already proved to be more popular than ever. With over 100 nominations the judges had a hard task to shortlist the final 18 winners. The awards provide an opportunity to disabled people and carers living in the Northwest to nominate those organisations and individuals who are making a real and positive impact on their lives.

This years winners include individuals who have dedicated their lives to enabling disabled people to become more independent, to small businesses that have made changes to their services to accommodate the needs of disabled customers, to large nationally recognised employers who are delivering fantastic support to the disabled employees, to a team of volunteers that have preserved a heritage site and made it accessible for all and local organisations that are managed by disabled people and promote empowerment".

Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said: "The NWDA is delighted to be sponsoring the Positive Action Awards, which will highlight the range of exemplar services that are available to disabled people in England's Northwest. Disabled people make a valuable contribution to our region and these awards are a great recognition of those who are making a real difference."

The awards were presented by Steven Broomhead at a Gala Presentation Evening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium Warrington. Mr Nick Gradwell of the Disability Rights Commission gave the keynote address on work of the DRC in promoting best practice.

Nominations for the 2007 years awards can be made online via www.positiveactionawards.org.uk or by nomination form available from Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064.

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