AccessABILITY Expo 2024 concluded with landmark discussions on accessibility and inclusion in Romania
Bucharest, October 3, 2024
The first edition of AccessABILITY Expo, held from September 27-29 at the National Library of Romania, has successfully concluded, marking a central moment in the national conversation around accessibility and inclusion. Organised by the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) and London-based tech4good company Renard Group, the event brought together thousands of attendees, representatives from the disability community, business leaders, and civil society, to envision a more inclusive future for Romania.
The first-ever ED&I job fair held in Romania, part of the AccessABILITY Expo and designed to put together people with disabilities and companies looking specifically to hire from the community, saw over 150 people interviewed by companies such as Kaufland, Decathlon, and Alexandrion Group. The job fair was co-organised with the Head Hunting Agency.
One of the event’s central features was the third edition of the Romanian Accessibility Awareness Day (RAAD) conference, which highlighted the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for nearly one million people with visible and invisible disabilities in Romania. RAAD 2024 attracted 13 experts who led discussions on best practices for businesses, including strategies for neurodivergence and the impact of the upcoming European Accessibility Act, set to take effect in 2025.
Kaufland is deeply committed to fostering a workplace where diversity and inclusion are more than just values – they have become one of the pillars of our culture. We are proud to already employ over 450 people with disabilities in Romania, and we are looking to hire 700 more. We believe that a diverse workforce brings innovation, resilience, and fresh perspectives that enrich our entire organisation. Every new hire ensures that people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities for growth, fulfilment, and success as anyone else.”
Estera Anghelescu, Recruiting Director & Employer Branding at Kaufland, and RDCC Vice President
As long as a company wants to have colleagues, and employees with disabilities there are no excuses. There are so many NGOs that can advise and help you integrate them into your company, there just needs to be the will to make accessibility happen.”
Daniela Tontsch, President at Consiliul National al Dizabilitatii din Romania
Throughout the event, participants explored ways to foster greater inclusivity through innovative programs.
Andreea Groenendijk-Deveau, CEO of Renard Group, said:
This event has been a powerful reminder of what true collaboration can achieve. We’ve witnessed the incredible impact that happens when businesses, NGOs, authorities, and the disability community unite with a shared purpose. Accessibility goes far beyond ticking boxes or meeting regulations – it’s about transforming mindsets and reshaping our world into one where every individual, regardless of ability, can dream of and indeed achieve a brighter future.”
AccessABILITY Expo 2024 was designed to raise awareness, promote innovation, and foster collaboration across sectors. It showcased solutions for people with disabilities and encouraged businesses and policymakers to integrate accessibility into their strategies. It featured over 40 exhibitors, 20 speakers, and a series of workshops and panel discussions focused on key themes like technology, healthcare, urban planning, and employment for people with disabilities.
Lestat Monroe, RDCC Founder and Vice President, remarked:
We’re ready for change and it has been a long time coming. AccessABILITY Expo is not just about raising awareness. It’s about empowering people with disabilities and challenging societal norms. For the first time in Romania, we had an event that laid the groundwork for lasting impact. We will continue to work with all the stakeholders of this incredible community over the next months and years to see how we can support initiatives that will make a real and positive difference.”
The Main Partner of the event was Kaufland. AccessABILITY Expo 2024 was supported Ambasada Sustenabilității în România, Belgian Luxembourg Romanian Elite Business Women, British Embassy in Bucharest, Elite Business Women is a Business Club, Embassy of Belgium in Bucharest, French Embassy in Romania, French Institute in Romania, Moldovan Chamber of Commerce, Netherlands Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Norwegian Embassy, Romanian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, She is Mom, The Better Ist, US Embassy in Bucharest. Our strategic partners were the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Fit For Future, Motivation and TedX Baneasa.
The event was kindly sponsored by Banca Transilvania, Decathlon, Dentons, Exim Banca Românească, MyEcoBox.ro, NN and Raiffeisen Bank Romania. Our media partners were Profit.ro, News.ro, Business Review, GovNet, Jurnal Social, ejobs.ro, Nine O’Clock, RFI, StartUP, Itsy Bitsy, and Wall-Street.ro.
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For more information about AccessABILITY Expo and ongoing initiatives from the RDCC, please visit www.rdcc.ro or contact the communication team at pr@rdcc.ro.
About the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce
The Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) is an organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Romanian business community. By bringing together local and multinational companies, the RDCC collaborates on initiatives that encompass awareness and education projects, development of organisational culture, ED&I training, certification and networking activities for the public and private sector, and their employees. As we engage with a diverse group of stakeholders, including women, LGBT+, Roma, disabled individuals, and other minority groups, alongside business leaders, the RDCC vision is to advocate for an equal, diverse and inclusive society for all. Learn more here: www.rdcc.ro
About Renard Group
Renard Group is a female-led, London-based tech4good company committed to supporting the charity sector by providing research, resources, and advocacy to ensure that charities have the tools they need to thrive in a digital world. Its work focuses on driving innovation, improving access to technology, and fostering collaboration across the sector.