Leading International Companies support the European Year of People with Disabilities
Date: 4-2-2003
On 26 January, a major meeting took place in Athens linking together Europe's private sector with the European Disability Forum to usher in the European Year of People with Disabilities.
Major companies unveiled plans to European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, launching large-scale projects across Europe following the inaugural ceremony of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003.
In a pro-active move to engage in improving the social and economic participation of Europe's 37 million people with disabilities, companies have joined forces in an informal network called the 'Corporate Partnership Program'.
"What we have here is the potential to make a meaningful impact on the development of disability issues in Europe. Having 11 major companies on board in the European Year campaign is a genuine boost to the work of the disability movement in Europe. We consider this as a major step in removing the social and economic barriers that prevent full participation of people with disabilities in the society today", said Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum.
The Corporate Partnership Program encompasses a close co-operation between Accor, Adecco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Manpower, McDonald's, Microsoft, Schindler, Sony, UITP (International Association of Public Transport), Volkswagen and the European Disability Forum. The European Commission has played a critical role acting as a facilitator and bringing companies and the disability movement together to collaborate within the framework of the European Year.
These companies have announced their plans to use 2003 to launch or to pursue long-term initiatives on the different themes of the European Year: raising awareness internally and externally about disability issues, the employment and training of workers with disabilities, and the provision of products and services accessible to customers with disabilities -including design-for-all products and assistive technologies-. The 'corporate partners ' will thus be actively involved in improving the economic potential, mobility and employability of disabled people in Europe, as a clear example of positive action and active involvement of business stakeholders to ensure a real integration of disabled people in society.
For more information contact
Helena Gonzalez-Sancho
EDF Communication Officer
Tel: +32-2-282.46.04
E-mail: communication@edf-feph.org