The island is to become a more disability aware place with the launch of Crossroads Care’s Tiered Award Scheme.

Crossroads has worked in partnership with the Department of Social Care for the last 18 months trialling a new award scheme for businesses. The award is completely free of charge and open to any business or organisation no matter how big or small.

Health and Social Care Minister, Hon Howard Quayle MHK, attended the launch at Eden Conference Centre yesterday (Wednesday 26th April 2016) to meet with the first batch of awardees. Receiving their certificates were Manx Telecom, Tynwald Mills, The Sefton Hotel, Autism Initiatives, Just Care Products, Fryers Fish and Chip Shop and Smeale Cottages to name but a few.

Annette Pinhorn, Tiered Award Scheme Lead said, "We have had a lot of interest in the scheme over the last year and it has been a learning curve for ourselves and the local organisations that took part. My role is to support organisations to self audit and I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of good practice out there, my job is to help organisations to identify these good areas, celebrate what they are already doing and apply them consistently across their service delivery.”

Crossroads are a local charity that provide care and respite services to anyone looking after a loved one or family member with a disability, frailty or illness. Projects include a fully inclusive nursery for children with additional needs, a holiday scheme for children with disabilities, social clubs for teenagers and adults with a range of needs, a home care respite service and an employability project.

“Our services are for any disability and any age, we recognise that disability comes in all shapes and sizes and there is no one size fits all solution. What might be a reasonable adjustment for one person could hamper another. Our Tiered Award is about looking at how you view disability and how you can overcome any issues around accessibility without negative effect on your business or great expense.” said Crossroads CEO, Jackie Betteridge.

If you are interested in the Award and would like more information please contact Crossroads Care's Access Office on 673103 or email them tas@crossroadsiom.org, the Access office also offers online Disability Awareness training to local businesses and organisations.


Photo - Representatives from local businesses and organisations who have received the award with Health and Social Care Minister Hon Howard Quayle MHK and Department representatives.