Report on European Disability Employment Week

From November 18 to 22, 2024, several events were held on the campus at 28 rue du Docteur Roux and at the Hearing Institute to raise awareness among the Institut Pasteur community of the importance of improving inclusion for people with disabilities. The week featured a number of enjoyable highlights.

This year's European Disability Employment Week was an opportunity to mark the first anniversary of the Institut Pasteur's disability policy and to encourage discussion and dialog among staff through a series of informal events:
 

•    Breakfast with the Disability Office

Several of you came along to share hot drinks and pastries from the "Fourneaux de Marthe et Matthieu" (an accredited center for rehabilitation through work*) to get the week off to a tasty start and meet the members of the Disability Office on Monday morning on the rue du Docteur Roux campus, then on Wednesday morning on the Hearing Institut campus in rue de Charenton.  

 

 

*in French: Établissement et service d'aide par le travail (ESAT) 
 
 

•    Screening of A bras-le-corps followed by a discussion

The screening of the documentary A bras-le-corps in the Agnès Ullmann lecture hall on Wednesday November 20 proved to be an emotional experience. The documentary tells the story of a man building his identity and reflecting on the notions of self-acceptance, image and difference.  
The debate that followed, moderated by the CeRIS and the Disability Office, provided the opportunity for a frank and positive discussion, with practical questions interspersed with personal reflections.   

 

 
 

•    Forum for discussion and information, highlight of the week

The highlight of the week came on Thursday November 21 in the atrium of the François Jacob building, which for the occasion had been turned into a space for discussion and awareness. There were themed stands staffed by members of the Disability Office and other Institut Pasteur staff involved in disability and inclusion, such as the CeRIS, the Information Systems Department, the Training Center and the Occupational Health and Prevention Department.  
The forum also highlighted innovative solutions with the Innovation Counter, which showcased specially designed equipment to support people with disabilities. The demonstrations proved to be a great success with participants.

 

 

•    Prize draw for the disability quiz

Throughout the week, the disability quiz was an opportunity for staff on campus to test their knowledge. Congratulations to the eight winners, whose names were revealed in the prize draw at the end of the forum (1- Stéphane Jorand, 2- Maurice Rosier, 3- Evelyne Krin, 4- Sara Napolitano, 5- Harouna Tandjigora, 6- François Quelier, 7- Sandra Legout, 8- Florence Fargeix). They all won prizes related to the topic of inclusion: a meal for two at the Belle Etincelle (an ethical restaurant that employs disabled people) for the first prize, two theater tickets for the play "Oublie-moi" (a story combining love and Alzheimer's) for the second prize, and comic books for the six other winners.

 
 

 
Thanks to everyone who got involved!
 
The Disability Office would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to participants and all those who helped make the week a success. It hopes that this initiative was an effective way of stimulating discussion and dialog about the inclusion of people living with disabilities.

 

 

Photos: François Gardy/Institut Pasteur