The Access Cork website www.accesscork.ie, developed by Cork City Council, won two Irish eGovernment Awards - Accessible Irish eGovernment Award and the Project Management Irish eGovernment Award – at the 2008 Irish eGoverment Awards.

 

 

Front row, left to right: Ger Desmond, Information Systems Dept., Joe Gavin, City Manager, Eileen O’Leary, IS Dept., Cork City Council. Back row, left to right: Alan Cournane and Catherine Kelly, Community & Enterprise Directorate and
Ruth Buckley, Head of Information Systems, Cork City Council, Ann O’Sullivan, Access Cork and Al Devine, IS Dept., Cork City Council.

 

The Awards were presented by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD on Thursday 21st February 2008 at a Gala Dinner in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin, attended by over 350 guests.

Head of Information Systems, Cork City Council, Ruth Buckley is delighted with the Awards “The Accessibility Award is particularly appreciated by our staff as it is Cork City Council’s third time being nominated for such an Award in the last three years. The Project Management Award reflects the City Council’s on-going efforts to implement best practice in this area.”

Cork City Council adopted a participative approach in the preparation of the website. The steering group included representatives from Cheshire Homes, Enable Ireland, Cork Disability Interest Group, Cork Access Group, Cork Association for the Deaf, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cork Centre for Independent Living and People with Disabilities in Ireland.

Director of Services in Community and Enterprise, Mr Jim O’Donovan welcomed the awards; “The Department of Community and Enterprise is delighted to be involved in this very worthwhile and useful project that provides information in a user-friendly and easy manner.”

The www.accesscork.ie website provides information which helps people with disabilities, their families and friends identify accessible shops, restaurants, pubs, accommodation and entertainment venues in Cork city. The content reflects the day to day experiences of people with disabilities and assists in deciding whether a particular venue meets their access requirements by answering key everyday questions such as:

• How do I gain access to a building?
• Is there an accessible toilet on the premises?
• Once inside is a venue entirely accessible?

The Irish eGovernment Awards, jointly run by the Public Sector Times newspaper and web usage and content experts Elucidate, are now in their sixth year. They are the recognised benchmark for excellence in Irish eGovernment services and standards. The Awards raise awareness and recognise the innovators, developers, forward thinkers and experts who are pioneering the changes happening in how the Irish Government delivers services to its citizens.

Press Release: 25th February 2008

Front row, left to right:: Ger Desmond, Information Systems Dept.,
Joe Gavin, City Manager, Eileen O’Leary, Information Systems Department, Cork City Council. 

Back row, left to right: Al Devine, Information Systems Department and Ruth Buckley, Head of Information Systems, Cork City Council.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD,
Joe Gavin, Cork City Manager and Prof. Dr. Stefan Decker, DERI.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD,
Joe Gavin, Cork City Manager and David Hearn, Deloitte.