SIMPLY OPEN AWARDS OFFERS £25,000
for disabled solutions
DO YOU HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA THAT COULD HELP BREAK DOWN BARRIERS?
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new group of awards, the Simply Open Awards, has been launched by Open Inclusion. The awards, created in partnership with Enable India, a disability-led organisation, have been announced in time for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) – and winners will win a share of £25,000. The Simply Open Awards offer people with any disability or other specific access needs, (or a person such as an assistant, friend, colleague, teacher, or family member) to demonstrate a solution they have created to better manage access challenges in a way that enhances independence, capability, or joy. This can be something new
or adapting an existing product or solution to fit that person’s requirements. Applicants can submit to one of five categories to which people can apply, with £3,850 of awards per category, or £25,000 in total. Open Inclusion specialise in market research and user insights around people with impairments and/or additional needs. Christine Hemphill, managing director, says: “Open Inclusion is delighted to launch the Simply Open Awards to help people with disabilities share and find solutions that remove barriers in a range of areas in our lives. We have the opportunity to find and celebrate creative ingenuity! With global disability-inclusive brands
as sponsors, we can accelerate the awareness of where difficulties arise in people’s lives.” Darren Rowan, Accessibility Lead at Eli Lilly says, “Lilly is excited to be the global sponsor for the Daily Living and Well Being category of the inaugural Simply Open awards. As we continue to develop innovative medicines and healthcare solutions for millions of patients worldwide, the well being of our employees remains a company priority. A core element of our global accessibility strategy is to better understand the barriers faced by people with disabilities, and we believe these awards will spotlight the solutions people with disabilities create to remove barriers in their daily lives.”
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