SUSTAINABILITY SCHOOL #113 - Accessibility's Impact on Inclusion for People with Disabilities
Description
Hiring People with Disabilities: A Key Step Towards Inclusion and Equality in Society
According to EUROSTAT data, nearly one in five people with disabilities is unemployed (compared to 8.6% among non-disabled individuals), negatively impacting their financial autonomy.
In Romania, Law 448/2006 regulates the rights and workplace benefits for people with disabilities. The law requires public authorities, institutions, and private companies with at least 50 employees to employ people with disabilities in a percentage of at least 4% of the total workforce. Otherwise, they must pay an amount equivalent to 50% of the gross minimum wage for each position not filled by a person with disabilities.
Unfortunately, many organizations choose to pay penalties instead of hiring people with disabilities. As a result, only about 6% of over 900,000 people with disabilities in Romania are employed, significantly below the European average of 35%–40%. According to an analysis by the "Alături de Voi" Foundation, based on data from ANAF, in 2023, the Romanian state budget collected €562,215,708, compared to €433,661,106 in 2022.
In 2019, Kaufland launched the A.C.C.E.S. program to support the integration of people with disabilities into the workforce, aiming to create a diverse, inclusive, and safe working environment where people with disabilities have equal opportunities for employment and development. Over five years, the program has expanded the team to more than 500 colleagues with disabilities.
Another essential aspect of inclusion is digital accessibility, which positively impacts the work environment, customers, and an organization's reputation. Starting in June 2025, the European Accessibility Act will mandate legal compliance for organizations with over 10 employees or an annual turnover of more than €2 million. Sign up for the webinar to learn about these new regulations, company obligations, and how to prepare.
What You Will Learn
Adina Teleuca
Co-founder of Accessi+
Adina Teleucă is co-founder of Accessi+, a high-impact startup active in France and Romania; Adina offers digital accessibility solutions to public and private organizations, helping them become more inclusive and comply with new legal regulations like the European Accessibility Act. Before founding Accessi+, Adina initiated and coordinated Kaufland Romania’s ACCES program, which focused on integrating people with disabilities into organizations.
Estera Anghelescu
Recruiting & Employer Branding Director | Kaufland, România
Estera Anghelescu is the person responsible for bringing people into Kaufland Romania, and not just any people, but those who believe that retail is about more than just stores. This, she believes, is how a united team is built—one that achieves excellence through a shared vision and diversity.
Her journey at Kaufland began in 2014 with a role as assistant to the CFO, allowing her to work with nearly all major departments in the company, such as Accounting, Controlling, IT, and Human Resources. From reports and analyses to recruitment interviews, this was how Estera’s first year at Kaufland unfolded.
After nearly two years in her initial role and another year in the Financial Controlling department, she was offered the opportunity to establish the Training and Personal Development department.
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This course also includes:
- 12-months access
- Self-paced learning
- Downloadable resource