Alstom and Fundación ONCE renew their collaboration agreement to continue building a more accessible and universal mobility
Alstom and Fundación ONCE renew their collaboration agreement to continue building a more accessible and universal mobility
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Samuel Miller
Send an emailFundación ONCE has become a strategic advisor to Alstom worldwide
29 June, 2021 – Alstom and Fundación ONCE have renewed the collaboration framework agreement that began in 2019, to promote the social inclusion of people with disabilities in rail mobility. In these two years, both entities have collaborated to develop more accessible and inclusive projects, including the new Barcelona Metro and the future High Capacity commuter trains for Renfe. In addition, Fundación ONCE has become a strategic advisor to Alstom worldwide.
The extension of the agreement was signed by José Luis Martínez Donoso, General Director at Fundación ONCE, Reyes Torres Vicent, Human Resources Director for Alstom Spain and Portugal and Jaime Borrell Botella, Business Development Director for Alstom Spain and Portugal.
This extension provides continuity to the mobility projects initiated two years ago, with a focus to improving the usability and comfort of people with disabilities and elderly adults, as well as focusing on the development of smart mobility solutions. Alstom and Fundación ONCE have established a strategic cooperation and have launched research, development and innovation projects to adapt all railway solutions to the accessibility needs requested by passengers.
"At Alstom, we have found a partner firmly committed to developing inclusive and adapted mobility solutions for all types of passengers. We share a common objective and the constant search for innovative solutions in terms of accessibility."
Cooperation between entities
Fundación ONCE and Alstom have collaborated in developing different proposals and projects to ensure accessibility and usability by passengers with all kinds of specific needs. These projects include the high-capacity commuter trains for Renfe, recently awarded to Alstom and the new-generation metros for TMB, currently in production.
Jaime Borrell, responsible for business development for Alstom in Spain, emphasises that, "this is not only a local alliance, we have also been able to export several advances and initiatives to other teams. Thanks to the collaboration with Fundación ONCE, Alstom Spain has become a reference in accessibility within the group worldwide." In fact, in 2020, the Alstom Group recognised this collaboration as a best practice in Diversity and Inclusion within the company.
"With the concept of Universal Design, we develop solutions that are accessible and easy to use for the entire population. Inclusion is also a fundamental pillar in our company and one of our corporate values. We design inclusive mobility solutions in a work environment and culture where all differences are embraced, respected and leveraged without any bias," explains Reyes Torres, Human Resources Director at Alstom in Spain and Portugal.
As part of this collaboration agreement, Alstom has also started working with Inserta Empleo, an entity specialising in training, employment and consulting programs to promote labour market integration of people with disabilities.