Roundtable on Procurement for More Inclusive Workplaces. European Inclusive Procurement Discussion Series.
Start Date: April 28, 2022
End Date:
Location: Online; Brussels
Overview:This 90-minute expert roundtable discussion explored and promoted a greater uptake of the European procurement directive’s accessibility provisions. Participants discussed how technology, particularly in the COVID era, is transforming workplaces; how deploying accessible technology benefits both employers and employees with disabilities; the basics of accessible ICT procurement policy and standards and their impact on inclusion and equity in employment at public sector bodies.
The European Inclusive Procurement Discussion Series is a collaboration of the European Disability Forum, G3ict, and Microsoft.
This interactive discussion covered timely and critical topics:
- Workplace digital transformation: As public sector bodies are embracing digital technology, it is critical that all employees can contribute in the workplace.
- Inclusion, accessibility, and equity: Accessible technology helps all employees, each with unique strengths and abilities, to succeed in the workplace – including in increasingly hybrid workplaces.
- European Union (EU)-Level commitments: The key European norms and regulations addressing both employment of persons with disabilities and socially responsible public procurement.
- Procurement in Support of Inclusive Workplaces: Public sector bodies can specify accessibility for persons with disabilities in the procurement of ICT products and services for the workplace. They can use EU ICT accessibility standards to support key steps of the typical procurement process, from defining requirements to managing contracts.
Speakers:
- Haydn Hammersley, European Disability Forum (EDF)
- Esa Kaunistola, Microsoft
- Catherine Naughton, European Disability Forum (EDF)
- Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, European Commission
- Susan Scott-Parker, business disability international
- James Thurston, The Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict)
- Esteban Tromel, ILO Global Business and Disability Network (ILO GBDN)
- Susanna Laurin, Funka, G3ict Representative to the EU
Roundtable resources: