Renault Group

Disability: around the world of awareness-raising initiatives carried out by Groupe Renault employees

17 December 2020
4 min
Opening up to the society we all make up and promoting the employment of people with disabilities remains a real lever for inclusion. Because some social representations of disability are difficult to accept, because in 80% of cases disability is invisible, the Groupe Renault is deploying awareness actions in many countries within the business world. Here's a look at Argentina, France, Brazil, Russia and India, where Groupe Renault employees tell us about their inspiring initiatives.
by Valérie Calloch

ARGENTINA

NEW AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES DESIGNED WITH AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH

In 2018, Renault Argentina began to follow the social business path by including social suppliers in its value chain. This led to their partnership with Red Activos, a non-profit organization that employs more than 630 mentally handicapped workers in sheltered workshops.

The objective? To launch a new aftermarket accessory. This partnership has led to the development of "Rasti" replicas (a kind of LEGO) of two Renault models marketed by the Group's dealers: The Super TC 2000 (2018) and Alaskan (2020).

It was an honor for us to be responsible for the development of this creative campaign: "The Car of the Champion" and "Replica Alaskan". And a chance to experience partnerships with companies like Renault. It's also an opportunity to have an income that supports our social cause, and to meet different people.
Juliana, designer at GOTA.

FRANCE  

DUODAY TO THE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT AT CERGY

On November 19, 2020, throughout France, the DuoDay initiative was held, in which several Groupe Renault sites are partners.

DuoDay enables the formation of pairs between people with disabilities and volunteer professionals. Candidates discover a profession, an employer, can start a path of integration and live a new experience. Employers discover the assets and professional qualities of disabled workers, assert their social values and raise the awareness of their teams.

Jason and Eddy, two disabled trainees from an ESAT (Establishment and Service of Assistance through Work) specialized in logistics were welcomed in the site's packaging unit.

A rich experience for the team, eager to repeat this exchange that is beneficial to all. In spite of the pandemic context which imposes the respect of sanitary rules and social distancing, Jason and Eddy were able to integrate into their welcoming team.

BRAZIL

RENAULT BRAZIL LAUNCHES THE ACCESS@RENAULT AFFINITY NETWORK

Access@Renault was launched on November 6th. Organized by the Human Resources department, the initiative aims to exchange with ten disabled employees on the common points and difficulties of disabled employees at Renault Brazil.

Led by employees, this new affinity network aims to promote projects to raise awareness of disability and ensure an inclusive, caring and friendly working environment for the employees concerned.

"Online Café" for the launch of the Access@Renault affinity group in Brazil

RUSSIA 

TO GIVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS TO SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH WORK

For more than twelve years, Renault Russia has been partnering with the "Quality of Life" aid fund. Its mission is to implement social programs to improve the quality of life of the population, help disadvantaged citizens and promote corporate hospitality.

For example, Renault Russia welcomes disabled interns for a period of two months, under the supervision of experienced managers. If the trainees perform well and meet recruitment needs, they are hired.

When I was three years old, I had meningitis and lost my hearing. It's hard for me to understand when people talk. That's why I communicate with my colleagues by messaging. I am a graduate engineer from Bauman State Technical University in Moscow. Unfortunately, I was never able to work in this field, I just did an internship there.

Since then my experience has grown. I did an internship at Renault Russia, in the human resources department, and now I'm in the logistics department. What I find great here is the mutual help between colleagues in the Group.
Irina Sharipova, intern in the logistics department of the Moscow plant.

INDIA

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SPONSORSHIP WITH THE ASSOCIATION MAITHREE

MAITHREE is an association of parents of children with disabilities established in India. This NGO contributes to the education and vocational training of about 360 children with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The financial support provided by  by RNTBCI these last three years (Renault Nissan Technical Business Center India, the Group's vehicle design research center in Chennai) has helped the NGO MAITHREE to invest in cutting-edge equipment: four sensory gymnasiums to improve children's motor skills and spatial interpretation. RNTBCI's CSR team constantly strives to contribute to the creation of an environment conducive to the realization of these children's aspirations through relevant CSR interventions.
Diwakaran Sekhar, Engineering Quality Manager and CSR MAITHREE Project Manager at RNTBCI

Sensory integration pathway

 

TESTIMONY OF MAUD QUILLIVIC, INTERIM NURSE IN THE HEALTH SERVICE AT CERGY'S SITE

You are the DuoDay project manager at the Cergy site. Why is participation in this event important to you?

Maud Quillivic - This operation can be the start of a collaboration with the protected sector, by integrating workers with disabilities into the teams. This integration allows their skills to be put to good use, and to break down certain preconceived ideas and barriers. 

What do you hope this action will bring to society? 

M.Q. - DuoDay disseminates a societal vision of diversity and inclusion. It is a long-term action that requires awareness-raising efforts on the part of each individual, each company and administrations. Acceptance of difference requires inclusion.

However, certain social representations of disability are difficult to accept. And in practice, there is still a lot of work to be done in France to catch up with our neighboring countries on the inclusion of disabled people in social life.  

On a personal level, why is this cause so important to you? 

M.Q. - I had the opportunity to meet and work with people with motor or sensory disabilities through my profession as a nurse, but my feelings were those of a citizen and a human being above all. The important thing then is to understand why, in order to be able to react and adapt well. It's not always easy to feel comfortable with difference. And it is strange to feel this sensation. It is normal. You need an opening, and you need tools. Working with people with disabilities brings me a lot about how I look at them, and also about the society we all make up. I try to spread this openness to as many people as possible, via DuoDay.   

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