The International Day of People with Disabilities is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our commitment to inclusion. In our company, we want to create a culture that welcomes all employees, regardless of their physical, mental or health conditions. Because we believe that true strength lies in diversity and that everyone can make a valuable contribution to the success of our company. Together, we are committed to creating an environment that supports, encourages and inspires people with and without disabilities.
Our internal company representative for severely disabled employees – a role that only exists in Germany -, Melanie Götzinger, Lead Auditor in Quality Management, plays an important role in this. We spoke to her about her tasks, challenges and personal experiences.
Melanie is a central point of contact for the concerns of employees with disabilities. She supports both employer and employees in their day-to-day work and helps, for example, with applications for a disability-friendly workplace. She also monitors compliance with legal requirements, such as the German Social Security Code IX (SGB IX) and the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), to ensure that legal requirements for inclusion are met.
Her own involvement is particularly valuable in her work: “I know what it feels like to have a disability that is not visible at first glance,” she explains. “You often feel like you are in a kind of justification role when you have to explain to the other person why certain tasks have to be approached differently to others due to the disability.” These experiences help her to promote an atmosphere of open and respectful communication and reduce fear of contact. Empathy and openness help to overcome barriers and avoid misunderstandings.
Raising awareness is the key to an inclusive working culture, emphasizes Melanie Götzinger. “Without understanding from all sides, a feeling of exclusion can quickly arise.” Freudenberg Flow Technologies and EagleBurgmann provide support with special aids, such as magnification software for the visually impaired or reading software for employees with physical disabilities. “Thanks to the support from IT and Purchasing, such measures can be implemented easily.”
Happy International Day of People with Disabilities!
