Rating System initiated for inclusive business

BANGKOK, February (TNA) - Representatives from leading organizations for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Asia are meeting in Bangkok for the Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Rating System to discuss a rating scheme initiated for more engaging the regional PWDs in the global economy. The Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Rating System is organized by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and the Nippon Foundation from 31 January to 1 February, 2012 at the APCD Training Building in the Thai capital. It is expected that concepts of inclusive business are clearly identified at the end of the two-day regional gathering, together with the importance of the “Star Rating System”, as regional enterprise are encouraged to beware that their business opportunities may disappear if special needs for customers with disabilities are not considered. Thus, the rating system has been initiated to rate whether companies’ products and services are available and accessible to the PWDs and whether disabled employees are working in a barrier-free environment. Supported by the Nippon Foundation, the Rating System is aimed at encouraging greater support from business enterprises for PWDs. At the two-day brainstorming session, a criteria list is being drafted and if it is successfully implemented in Asia and the Pacific, it will be further expanded worldwide. APCD and the Nippon Foundation said they hope that the findings from the regional brainstorming forum will maximize enterprises' business opportunities in the future. (TNA)