Unveiling the III Edition of the Telefónica Ability Awards

Madrid Hosts the Launch of the Prestigious Awards

The bustling city of Madrid witnessed the unveiling of the third edition of the Telefónica Ability Awards on February 19th at a well-attended event in the Espacio de Fundación Telefónica. With the auditorium filled five minutes before the scheduled midday start, Adrián García Nevado, director of the Central Territory for Telefónica Spain, warmly welcomed attendees and opened the ceremony.

Opening of the Candidate Submission Process

García Nevado proudly announced that submissions for the awards are now open. Over the next ten months, aspiring organizations will follow guidelines and requirements overseen by PwC, drawing to a close in January 2015 with a grand gala celebration.

Award Recognition for Business Sustainability and Inclusion

These awards celebrate Spanish enterprises that have embraced sustainable business models and integrated disability as a core element of their value chain. Since the award inception, a total of 453 organizations with 594 applications have participated, summing up to 872 submissions across two editions.

The Launch Event: A Platform for Change

At the event, Alberto Andreu, director of Reputation and Corporate Responsibility at Telefónica, took the stage to discuss the 'Next billion' and 'The other billion', terms referring to future internet users empowered by technology and those with disabilities respectively. Andreu emphasized the potential for inclusion through innovative tech solutions.

Innovation for Inclusion

One noteworthy introduction in this edition is the “Innovation for Inclusion” category, aiming to spotlight entrepreneurial endeavors with technological foundations that offer solutions for people with disabilities.

Testimonials from Previous Award Winners

Beatriz Sánchez, Francisco Valencia, and José Núñez, representatives from previous winning organizations, shared their inspiring experiences and the positive impacts the Telefónica Ability Awards had on their operations and goals for inclusion.

Selection Process and Key Dates

Pedro Richi from PwC outlined the selection phases, culminating in a final jury's determination of the winners and the award ceremony in January 2015.

Embracing the Vision: Speakers Convey a Message of Change

Kanchi's founder Caroline spurred the audience with a motivating speech on the power of vision over sight and commended Telefónica for their commitment to these awards. Concluding her speech, she encouraged the attendees with a call to action, "It's time to think big" – a challenge to everyone to play their part in world change. Pablo Pineda, ambassador of the awards, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse abilities.

The Future of Travel and Hospitality: An Inclusive Vision

The importance of inclusivity extends to the travel and hospitality industry, where innovations pave the way for more accessible experiences. Through such esteemed awards as the Telefónica Ability Awards, we are reminded of the crucial role businesses play in fostering a more inclusive society, one where travel and hotel accommodations celebrate diversity and ensure accessibility for all guests, echoing a world where everyone is equipped to explore, connect, and contribute with ease.