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The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation is a national charity based in Leatherhead, Surrey, and works to promote equality for disabled people. Five years ago it created the Ease Awards to recognise companies and organisations that are making a positive effort in the provision of Ease of Access, Service and Employment, for their disabled customers and employees.

The awards are open to everyone who wishes to nominate services or an organisation that they feel are working to give disabled people opportunities. The awards represent a significant force for change within industry, rewarding those who follow not only the letter of the law but also its spirit.

During 2001, the Ease Awards received a record 14,000 nominations from members of the general public for over 3,300 different locations.

Nominations from members of the public placed the PHAB FREEWHEELERS organisation as one of the three finalists in the 'Community Achievement Award' section of the Awards.

Gillian Cooper, Freewheelers Co-ordinator, said, “Receiving this nomination is a great honour and everyone within the group is delighted. It is very gratifying to have the important work we’ve being doing since 1973 acknowledged in this way. Exclusion of minority groups is an anti-social problem and we are proud to have helped hundreds of local disabled people to enjoy a fuller life.”

Prior to judging the PHAB FREEWHEELERS underwent an extensive audit and assessment of its facilities and services. Following is extracts from the report:

'The organisers and volunteers provide the backbone of the club and persevere with limited funding to ensure all disabled people and able bodied people have an enjoyable time at the meetings.'

'The group meets the needs of its members and makes life easier and better for everyone.'

'Volunteers spoken to, said that their time was always well spent at the FREEWHEELERS and they also felt valued within the group.

'The FREEWHEELERS group provides the opportunity to meet other people easily and to get out and about into the local community.'

'There is always something to do, but members may go along to the meetings just to talk to others and have a coffee.'

The PHAB FREEWHEELERS is a group that values everybody within it. Over the years it has enabled a range of individuals to get together and enjoy the social aspect of meeting new and different people.'


	PLAYSTATION PRESENTATION
	In April 1998 FREEWHEELERS volunteer, Cheryl Evans, presented a Sony PlayStation and games on behalf of Team 19 of the Princes Trust Volunteers.

In December 1995, the National Lottery Charities Board granted an award of £7,630 for computer equipment, "To enable people with and without disabilities to communicate together into the next millennium."

In December 1996, another award for £36,540 was granted to set up the PHAB ENABLERS SCHEME, a three year project to, "Help people with and without disabilities to make more of life together."