Member Article

Special iApps Scoops Top Diversity Award

Special iApps Scoops Top Diversity Award

BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern took centre stage on 14th May to host the Excellence in Diversity Awards, celebrating Inclusive Employers and Diversity Champions

COMPANIES and charities were honoured nationwide at Thursday’s ceremony at The breathtaking Midland Hotel, Manchester, rewarding the best of British diversity across all UK industries.

J.P. Morgan were just one of the brands supporting a skyfall of diverse talent – Diverse Companies, Employees of the Year, Best Diversity Resources, Head’s of Diversity, Outstanding Networks, Diversity Champions, Marketing Campaigns and Lifetime Achievers.

Hundreds of endorsements were received paying tribute to those from under-represented backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the equality agenda.

The one-of-a-kind ceremony kicked off with an inspirational speech from Activist and Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, to let the audience know why the awards were special to him. Tatchell said “It is a huge honour to be here at the Excellence in Diversity Awards, which does such outstanding work to promote, empower, profile and acknowledge organisations that are pioneering amazing initiatives on surrounding inclusion.” He added that “Diversity is the motor of creativity, and a force for social progress”. With that positive message, to spread equality to people of all diverse backgrounds, the awards started flowing.

Founder Paul Sesay welcomed guests to the exciting ceremony and discussed the importance of inclusion, and what inspired him to create the ceremony. As passionately as ever, Sesay said “Our aim is to have innovative and truly diverse award ceremonies, celebrating employers and diversity champions that excel in the field of inclusion. It is through people like you, that change can happen.” The ceremony, without a doubt, delivered on that aspiration.

A highlight of the evening came when Special iApps beat four other hopefuls in the running for the Best Diversity Resource Award, for their innovative efforts, providing cutting-edge educational resources to help disabled children.

Durham based Bev and Colin Dean co founded Special iApps when their son William was awarded an iPad. They felt that the apps available were not accessible to children like their own son who has Down syndrome, complex needs and poor fine motor skills.

This was the start of a pioneering journey which saw Colin and Bev write and design education apps for disabled children and adults, starting with Special Words and Special Stories. Both apps provide a clear uncluttered user interface. There are no distractions, no advertising and no analytics.

Special iApps were applauded at the ceremony for providing apps that can be personalised by taking your own photos, adding your own text and recording your own spoken words. With two successful apps to showcase, Special iApps went on to create Special Numbers in response to high demand for numeracy apps, followed by memory and BSL apps.

Andrew Hargreaves, UCAS, presented the award stating ‘Today Special iApps have 11 exceptional apps, tailored to a range of disabilities and languages. A phenomenal achievement.’

The prestigious black-tie event has attracted a growing list of top employers including ITV, PwC and Thomson Reuters. The night was wrapped up with a brilliant performance from The Voice UK winner 2014, Jermain Jackman who performed the pick of an impressive catalogue of songs. The Excellence in Diversity Awards was a real feel good event, where each nominee had earned their right to be in attendance for their fantastic work in their specific sector.

To view the full list of winners please visit: http://excellenceindiversity.co.uk/2015-winners/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Special iApps C.I.C. .