Our ambition is to create an inclusive environment where everyone can develop skills and achieve their potential. To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, here’s how we’ve been actively championing employees and customers with disabilities.
Key figures on disability worldwide underline the importance of working together to promote inclusion.
1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world's population, live with a significant disability
80% of disabilities are invisible
About 20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent
Nearly1 billion children and adults with disabilities and older people in need of assistive technology cannot access it
How we fight disability discrimination
We actively contribute to coalitions that reduce inequalities and promote disability inclusion in the world of work and society at large. We also support various initiatives, such as the Charter published by the International Labour Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network (ILO 2015), the Valuable 500 (2019), and our own Neuroteam program (2022), which promotes the employment of neurodivergent people.
A commitment to skills and support
A commitment to skills and support We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are essential drivers of performance, creativity, employability, and engagement. This is why we accept all forms of difference, recognize multiple skills and work to eliminate all discrimination, allowing everyone develop skills and achieve their potential, because at Orange, everyone is measured on the unique value they can contribute.
When it comes to support, our teams do everything possible to ensure no one is left behind during recruitment, onboarding, or throughout their career at Orange to enable everyone to flourish at work.
Promoting diversity during recruitment
We try to make our job postings accessible and disability-friendly to attract and retain talent because we understand how diversity leads to innovation.
welcome, inclusion, and support: three key dimensions for successful onboarding
We ensure that our work environments, collaborative tools, and support systems are accessible and adapted to everyone’s needs. This ensures the workplace is conducive to professional development for everyone, with an inclusive corporate culture to enhance their sense of belonging, well-being, loyalty, and employability over the long term.
Disability awareness among all employees
We regularly conduct training and awareness-raising initiatives to deconstruct stereotypes, particularly with regard to disability in the workplace. These initiatives are implemented across the Group so that as many people as possible understand the realities of disability.
Sharing examples of disability inclusion
Across our footprint, many local programs are ongoing to promote disability inclusion. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a great opportunity to highlight some best practices.
In Europe, two countries have strengthened their actions to promote disability inclusion and onboarding. In Poland, the “Yes for Health” program offers information and education on the rights and needs of people with disabilities. In Romania, the focus is on raising awareness across the business with the Ability>Disability program, an initiative to improve employee empathy. The goal is to teach employees how to spot the signs of any stress, anxiety, or depression.
At Orange Business in Brazil, the “Grow Up” program promotes equal opportunities through adapted skills development.
In Tunisia, Sofrecom adapts the workplace and promotes active listening to support employees.
All of these values have been adopted in France through the Disability Inclusion Mission (MIH) which ensures a more inclusive workplace. Abiding by the principles of the RQTH (Disabled Worker Status) ensures everyone benefits from extra support to compensate for their disability so they can work in the best possible conditions.
Championing a more inclusive society
We recognize our extended responsibility throughout our value chain, from suppliers to customers, so we also contribute to the fight against all forms of disability-related digital exclusion in society.
For example, we have developed the “Comfort+” option to make our navigation easier for all users and work to ensure our websites and mobile apps are more easily accessible. .
To engage suppliers in disability recruitment, we are expanding our purchasing policy to include the sheltered and adapted work sector (STPA) with the aim of increasing our inclusive purchasing by 30% by 2025, in line with our collective commitment for a more inclusive economy.
We have also labeled various stores in France and abroad as “autonomous” where we can offer enhanced access and customer experience. Finally, we offer specific autonomy apps and solutions, as well as catalogs of adapted services to strengthen our contribution to a more inclusive society.
Disability innovation
Technological advances and digital innovations can make daily life easier for people with disabilities, from assistive solutions to visual and sound aids, adapted equipment, easier access to education, culture and sport, etc. During the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we provided several solutions that allowed people with disabilities to enjoy all the emotions of the various sporting competitions.We have a dedicated team of researchers and accessibility experts to ensure that our innovations are inclusive right from the design stage. What’s more, we’re forging partnerships to promote the emergence of a social and societal innovation ecosystem.
Handilab, the first innovation accelerator for disability
The Group has signed a partnership with Handilab, the first innovation, disability, and autonomy cluster in the Paris region of France. Through the partnership, we support the development of new inclusive services and business models, and contribute to the necessary synergy between companies, start-ups, and associations to improve understanding and consideration.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, underpinned by action, means more than ever we allow everyone to: "be your true self"
Orange, committed against any type of discrimination
Learn more: Disability: let’s tour our actions around the world