- A year ago, on the occasion of International Day for Disabled Persons, and with support of the Anne de Gaulle Foundation, Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport was renamed Paris-Anne de Gaulle airport [1] during a week.
- For Groupe ADP, this symbol was the starting point of a general drive to improve accessibility and ensure the best possible welcome for the 9 million disabled passengers who pass through Paris airports each year. Significant improvements are being made, and much remains to be done.
- For the Anne de Gaulle Foundation, this action got under way the release of its societal advocacy, aimed at a complete paradigm shift around disability, embodied by the implementation in 2023 of a "100% inclusive" movement and the prefiguration of disruptive systems tested on a large scale.
- One year on, the Anne de Gaulle Foundation and Groupe ADP continue to work together to promote inclusion and make Paris airports more accessible to all, by implementing solutions that enable all passengers to make themselves understood and express themselves.
To meet this goal, new means of communication and exchange need to be implemented in Paris airports. This is why the Anne de Gaulle Foundation will be working with Groupe ADP and its service providers to develop AAC [2] (Augmented Alternative Communication) in Paris airports. AAC refers to all the tools and strategies used to communicate in ways other than words (gestures, photographs, drawings, letters, words, etc.).
Throughout the first half of 2024, with a view to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in particular, the Anne de Gaulle Foundation will be tasked, in conjunction with the expertise of all the associations working at national level to promote AAC:
- to carry out an assessment;
- to support the training of staff working in contact with passengers;
- to assist with the deployment of solutions that will enable all passengers to make themselves understood and to express themselves.
"With just a few months to go before the delegations of Paralympic athletes arrive, we continue our general drive for accessibility within our airports. One year after the Paris-Anne de Gaulle operation, we are proud to be continuing our collaboration with the Anne de Gaulle Foundation, to push forward the issue of communication with all our passengers. It's a question of dignity: everyone in our airports must be able to be understood, whatever their disability or origin", said Augustin de Romanet, Chairman and CEO of Groupe ADP.
This enthusiasm is also shared by Anne de Gaulle Foundation. "We are delighted to continue the 100% inclusive approach initiated by the Paris Anne de Gaulle operation. The Foundation's mission is to transform society: once again, we salute the boldness of Groupe ADP in making concrete and tangible this ambition that a more supportive society is possible", emphasises Jean Vendroux, Chairman of the Anne de Gaulle Foundation.
Together, committed to a more inclusive society.
[1] Implemented by Havas Paris, the operation won 44 awards, including the "Grand Prix" for Good at Cannes Lions 2023 and the "Grand Prix Strategies of Influence".
[2] "AAC provides anyone with complex communication difficulties with solutions for expressing themselves, understanding and being understood" - Definition by ISAAC FRANCOPHONE.
