Promoting an inclusive society requires more than good intentions

Christine Zimmer holds a master's degree in marketing and communication from the University of Paris-Panthéon-Assas. She began her professional career at Deloitte Luxembourg, where she was responsible for business development and communication for the Luxembourg non-financial sector. After working for marketing and communications agencies (Comed and 101 Studios), she founded her own company, Anchor strategies and communication, while also working at HITEC Luxembourg and the House of Training, where she was a member of the Management Committee. Since 1 January 2024, she has been Executive Director at Info-Handicap, the national council for persons with disabilities.

Ms Zimmer, thank you for your time. For our readers who are not familiar with Info-Handicap, could you please briefly introduce your organisation?

Info-Handicap – Conseil national des personnes handicapées is the central point of contact and national council for persons with disabilities.

Since 1993, Info-Handicap has represented the rights of persons with disabilities at national and international level and brings persons with disabilities together through its more than 60 member associations.

Our National information and meeting center for persons with disabilities provides information and advice, carries out projects in the field of accessibility, offers further training and undertakes awareness-raising measures.

Our motto is ‘Nothing about us without us!’ Persons with disabilities are actively involved in our activities and projects. Our goal is an inclusive society that leaves no one behind.

Anyone can contact Info-Handicap! Persons with and without disabilities, as well as relatives, people from their environment, employers, educational professionals and anyone else who is interested.

One of the OSAPS's missions is to raise awareness among economic actors about the importance of accessibility. Info-Handicap also offers further training for companies to raise awareness. Can you please give us a brief overview of this training programme?

Promoting an inclusive society requires more than good intentions. It requires knowledge, understanding and practical skills to break down barriers and understand and respond to the needs of persons with disabilities. That is why we offer targeted training courses that raise awareness and teach specific behaviors for everyday life.

Our training courses:

• Preparing to welcome a person with a disability into the workplace
• How do I communicate with a person with a disability?
• Awareness-raising lunch breaks (in companies)
• Awareness-raising lunch breaks (for non-commercial organizations)
• Tailor-made awareness-raising training courses
• Training Technical accessibility controller (CTA)

During our training courses, participants are given a general introduction to the topic. Info-Handicap introduces itself and explains how communication with a person with a disability can be adapted to their specific needs.

The definition and typology of disabilities (motor, sensory, intellectual, psychological, cognitive and invisible) are also discussed, and participants are given tips on reflexes to ensure good communication.

Persons with disabilities always have a say in our training courses. Participants gain an insight into the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The testimonials are always tailored to the activities of the participants.

Participants are also placed in the situation of a person in a wheelchair or a person with a visual impairment. This allows participants to develop a better understanding of disabilities through concrete situations in an urban environment.

More information about the training courses can be found here: https://info-handicap.lu/weiterbildung/

How do you envisage the cooperation between Info-Handicap and OSAPS?

First, it should be emphasized that there is already a good and trusting working relationship between us – something that is very important. I firmly believe that all relevant players in the field of accessibility should engage in ongoing dialogue and work together to find solutions. Ultimately, we are not working in our own interests, but for the rights of persons with disabilities – and that requires coordination, exchange and mutual support.

A successful example of this is the working group in the banking sector. Thanks to constructive cooperation, it has been possible to involve persons with disabilities directly in the work processes. Their voices and perspectives are being heard – a key step towards a more inclusive society. This principle should form the basis of our cooperation in the long term.

In addition, it is essential to continue to provide targeted information and raise awareness among the relevant stakeholders. Only if all those involved – especially service and product providers – are familiar with the requirements of the Accessibility Act and implement them consistently can a noticeable improvement in everyday life be achieved.

Another important aspect is informing persons with disabilities about their rights. They need to know what they are entitled to under the law and where to turn if they encounter barriers.

Finally, what are your general hopes for the future regarding accessibility?

We expressly welcome the fact that there are now two legal regulations on accessibility: the Act on Accessibility of Public Places and the Act on Accessibility of Products and Services. These legal frameworks are an important step in the right direction.

However, accessibility is much more than just the existence of legal regulations. It encompasses numerous aspects that must be always guaranteed and for all people – including barrier-free communication and access to information, which are also enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is not enough to ensure physical accessibility or to design products and services to be barrier-free. Interpersonal communication must also be designed in such a way that everyone can participate without restriction, and all information must always be accessible and understandable to everyone.

Another key point is that accessibility does not only affect persons with disabilities. Rather, it is important for everyone. Anyone can find themselves in a situation at some point in their life – whether temporarily or permanently – where they need accessibility.

An illustration by Design for All International provides an impressive example of this. It shows persons in wheelchairs, with white canes, with prams and with wheeled suitcases. Next to it are three statements: ‘Accessibility is essential for 10% of society, necessary for 40% and comfortable for 100%.’

Accessibility is therefore a topic that affects everyone – at any time and in any situation.

Thank you very much for this brief interview.

Info-Handicap – Conseil national des personnes handicapées

65, avenue de la Gare

L-1611 Luxembourg

+352 366 466

info@iha.lu

info-handicap.lu