For 4 months, Kaufland Romania traveled through several cities in the country with the “ACCES Caravan” project, together with George Baltă, former rugby player and current marathon runner in a wheelchair, and director Tedy Necula, to promote the integration of people with disabilities on labor market. On May 16, the Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the Caravan had its last stop in Bucharest. In a special event at MINA, the Museum of Immersive New Art, the company marked both 5 years since the start of the ACCES program (Employment of Candidates with Special Requirements and Developments), as well as the launch of four sensory experiences dedicated to several disabilities, which will could be explored by the general public within the museum until June 17.
In the 5 years since the launch of the ACCES program, Kaufland has expanded its team with more than 500 colleagues with disabilities and carried out a series of activities on a national level to promote diversity and inclusion through recruitment, education and partnerships with different organizations .
During the anniversary event at the MINA museum, guests enjoyed discussions on equal opportunities, labor market integration and accessibility as part of panels with Kaufland representatives as well as company partners. At the same time, the public had the opportunity to explore the “ALT Portraits / Alternative Portraits” gallery, an exhibition of portraits of employees from the Kaufland team, accessible for people with disabilities. This allowed visitors to discover both details in everyone's lives that define them as people beyond disability, and more information about the importance of digital accessibility in the online environment.
“This year, the Kaufland ACCES program celebrates 5 years since its launch, when we made our first official commitments to support the integration of people with disabilities into the workforce. To mark this important milestone, we organized an anniversary event, together with MINA and several partner associations. Thus, we launched a series of immersive sensory experiences through which visitors can better understand what it's like to deal with different types of disabilities. The purpose of these experiences is to bring people together in an endeavor of empathy and awareness, to discuss the problems we face next, the solutions we can develop together, and above all, the humanity that unites us. At Kaufland, we believe in the importance of diversity and equal opportunities, which is why we are constantly investing in developing an inclusive and collaborative work environment.”, stated Esther AnghelescuDirector of Recruitment & Employer Branding, Kaufland Romania.
Each of the four immersive experiences gives participants the opportunity to experience and understand more about:
· dyslexiaa specific learning disorder, detailed through an experience carried out together with the Bucharest Association for Dyslexic Children;
· deafness and sign languagethrough an experience carried out in partnership with the National Association of the Deaf in Romania;
· lack of sightwith the help of an interactive sound experience developed together with the National Association of the Blind from Romania;
· the difficulties encountered by people in wheelchairs in citiespresented both through a physical route and through VR technology, in an experience made in partnership with the Motivation Romania Foundation and the Ajută Viața Association – Help to Heart.
During the four months of the ACCES Caravan, more than 500 people took part in the meetings in Timișoara, Oradea, Cluj, Sibiu, Brașov, Constanța, Iaşi and Craiova. They all had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, but also to discover the experience of George Baltă, who shared his professional past and the obstacles overcome. Director Tedy Necula also offered advice to those present, talking about the courage and motivation to reinvent yourself when life puts you to the test.
“I am very proud to be a part of this journey with Kaufland and to be able to pass on both my story and the message of diversity. And what Kaufland has achieved through the ACCES program can only make me happy. Such initiatives show how much the support of the company, the community, but also the power of example matters. And what is most important, from my point of view, is that through this event, we were able to offer a new perspective on disabilities, thanks to MINA's sensory activations, through which visitors can experience what it means to live with a disability. “, stated George Baltaambassador of the ACCESS program.
At the end of the anniversary event, those present enjoyed the screening of the film “Further” directed by Tedy Necula, which has George Baltă in the main role. The film tells George's life story and paints a portrait of courage and perseverance in the face of challenges.
The Kaufland team continues to grow, and all those who want a job have several ways to apply: online, at careere.kaufland.ro, by email at [email protected], by phone at 021 91 32 or they can contact their colleagues at the information desk in any Kaufland store in Romania.
About Kaufland Romania
Kaufland is among the largest retail companies in Europe, with 1,500 stores in 8 countries, 148,000 employees and a network of 178 stores in Romania. In 2021, Kaufland Romania received the Best Buy Award certification for the fourth time, which certifies that it is the store chain with the best quality-price ratio on the local market. Kaufland also holds the distinction of Customers' Friend for the company with the best customer service, awarded by the international Institute ICERTIAS, following a market analysis. Our objective is to apply the most innovative technologies in the field of retail, so that customers can enjoy fresh products, at the best value for money, by promoting sustainability and local products. For more information, visit www.kaufland.ro.
