We are delighted to announce that Able has been selected as the winner of the People’s Choice Accessible Business Awards in the Media Category, as voted for by people with access needs, their friends and whānau, because “their service ensures that all New Zealanders have equal access to audiovisual media.”
The Access Alliance facilitated the People’s Choice Accessible Business Awards to celebrate people, businesses, and organisations that are prioritising accessibility and inclusion, and we are privileged to be a part of such a positive and important kaupapa. Congratulations to the finalists and winners in the other categories, who we celebrate for their mahi towards a more inclusive Aoteaora.
We were nominated for providing access to crucial information over the past year, through our provision of live-captions on breaking news bulletins.
“Able are about making media accessible. It’s as simple as that. Without Able putting the captions on my TV I wouldn’t have known about the sudden [Covid] lockdowns or tsunami warnings. Able have really helped me through a crazy, crazy year by at least helping to make the information on TV available to me and everyone with access needs.”
– The People’s Choice Public Nomination
Over 70 nominations were made, 8000+ votes were cast, with 300 attendees celebrating the nominees and winners at the live-streamed Awards Ceremony, with Hon Carmel Sepuloni presenting the Supreme Access Award.
“We need our media to be inclusive so that we have equitable access to information about the issues that affect us. We also need New Zealanders with access needs to be accurately and fairly represented in the media through respectful, non-discriminatory language.”
– The Access Alliance
“Thank you to New Zealand on Air for their support as we work towards our vision of an Aotearoa in which every New Zealander has equal access to audiovisual media. A huge thank you to The Access Alliance for their work in shining a spotlight on the mahi being done towards an accessible Aotearoa. Thank you to our incredible community of service users, and to the Able team, who work with passion and dedication to make media accessible.”
– Wendy Youens, Chief Executive, Able
Check out the other winners here.
