Future Proofing Equality: Harriet Harman MP To Launch RADAR People Of The Year Awards 2009, UK

Main Category: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 12 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP, Minister for Women and Equality, will be speaking at the launch of the 2009 RADAR People of the Year (POTY) Awards on Tuesday 16 June at the BT Tower in central London.

The launch marks the opening of the nomination period for the RADAR POTY awards, which will be presented in November. These awards, now in their 43rd year, celebrate excellence and achievement by, companies, organisations, public bodies and individuals in furthering equality for people living with ill-health, injury or disability.

Major organisations in the public and private sectors along with leading figures from the disability world will be attending the launch. Speakers are:

- Rt Hon Harriett Harman QC MP
- Caroline Waters, Director of People and Policy, BT,
- Phil Friend OBE, Chair of RADAR
- Kay Allen, Head of Social Policy, Royal Mail
- Ben Fletcher, Master Inventor, IBM and winner of the RADAR Young Person of the Year Award 2008
- Liz Sayce OBE, Chief Executive, RADAR

Guests include Rt Hon Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabled People, Sir Bert Massie, Dame Carole Black, National Director for Work and Health and include key decision makers from John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Intercontinental Hotels, HSBC, GlaxoSmithKline, Jobcentre Plus, Sainsbury, Tesco and KPMG.

This year, the theme for the awards is Future Proofing Equality ¡V underlining the message that disability equality matters and that in tough economic times equality matters more not less. There is a pressing need to avoid new inequalities in a recession, to spend scarce resources where they are most needed and to identify and develop all Britain¡¦s talents, including those of disabled people. With the Equalities Bill currently going through Parliament, this is a vital opportunity to ensure businesses are more equal and effective and that society is more equal in the future.

Press and photographers are welcome to attend the launch but due to limited space and security arrangements prior notice must be given. If prior notice is not given, entry will not be permitted. Please contact Ann Stirling on 01273 202980 (mobile: 07939 153513) if you would like to attend.

Notes

1. RADAR, founded in 1977, is the UK's largest disability campaigning network with over 900 individual and organisational members. RADAR stands for the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation.

Source
RADAR