The influx of multinational companies into the Republic over the past decade has prompted a major improvement in access for disabled people to the workplace, according to Ms Caroline Casey, founder of the Aisling Foundation, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges facing those with disabilities.

A growing appreciation of the needs of the disabled among the public has, in addition, encouraged the business community to improve facilities for staff with disabilities, she said.

"Companies are now more aware of what they can and should be doing.

"Customers increasingly demand that businesses are socially responsible, and addressing the needs of the disabled is a major part of this.

"It is also true that the arrival to Ireland of a large number of multinationals - many from the United States - has brought us closer to the corporate culture of America, where there is a longstanding awareness of the needs of the disabled."

She was speaking prior to the launch of the O2 Ability Awards, at a ceremony attended by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and members of the business community, including O2 chief executive Ms Danuta Gray, Hamilton Osborne King managing director Mr Paul McNeive, and Mr Eoin McVey, managing editor of The Irish Times.

The awards will acknowledge and profile Irish businesses demonstrating best practice in employment of those with disabilities.

The aim of the initiative is to foster a community of companies that will provide a network of shared knowledge on disabled issues, said Ms Casey.

She said: "No organisation is expected to have all the answers. The awards scheme is about encouraging, advising and facilitating organisations, of all backgrounds and sizes, and helping them on the journey to best practice in the employment of people with a disability."

Entries for the awards must be submitted by July 9th. Judging will take place from July to November, with on-site audits for the final 100 companies.

Fifty winners will be announced in a television ceremony in February.

Judging will be conducted by experts in the fields of disability management, corporate and business affairs, equality management and people with disabilities.

The panel will include Mr Denis O'Brien of Communicorp; Dr Mary Redmond, consultant with Arthur Cox solicitors; Ms Mary Davis, chief executive of Special Olympics; Mr Turlough O'Sullivan, director general of IBEC; and Ms Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce.