Indra Group and Fundación ONCE join forces to promote accessible technological innovation and inclusion
Indra Group and Fundación ONCE have signed a collaboration agreement to promote accessible technological innovation and inclusion. The agreement includes actions to promote physical and digital accessibility, develop best practices and boost the social and labour integration of people with disabilities.
Ángel Escribano, Executive Chairman of Indra Group; José Vicente de los Mozos, CEO of Indra Group; and Miguel Carballeda, Chairman of Grupo Social ONCE, signed the agreement during a ceremony held at the Ifema exhibition centre in Madrid, where both entities agreed on the need for people with disabilities to have equal access to environments, products and services.
The agreement, which will remain in force for four years, establishes a general framework for action and sets out proposals in the areas of accessibility, inclusive science and innovation, the promotion of research and technology careers for people with disabilities, accessible leisure, sustainable quality services and the integration of people with disabilities into the labour market.
Both parties undertake to collaborate on actions related to technological and digital accessibility in the sectors where the Indra Group operates, such as information technology, defence, transport, energy, finance, public administration and responsible artificial intelligence.
They will also promote scientific and technological innovation programmes and events that incorporate the needs and expectations of people with disabilities, as well as aid and scholarship programmes that promote their academic and research careers, such as the ‘Fundación ONCE-INVESTIGA’ programme or the RADIA Programme. The Indra Group already collaborates in the Fundación ONCE's ‘Por Talento Digital’ programme, a lifelong learning initiative aimed at improving the digital and technological knowledge and skills of people with disabilities, and consequently their employability.
Other actions outlined in the agreement include raising awareness for the full inclusion of staff with disabilities in technological fields; dissemination and communication on rights, non-discrimination, equal opportunities, independent living and empowerment; and the incorporation of accessibility criteria into the life cycle of Indra Group products and services.
It also highlights the joint development of R&D projects in accessible technologies, such as responsible and explainable AI, accessible conversational assistants, inclusive computer vision, usable cybersecurity, accessible digital twins, inclusive smart cities, accessible mobility and ticketing, digital signage and extended reality with accessibility.
Finally, the agreement includes executive and technical training for Indra Group professionals on accessibility regulations and best practices (boot camps), as well as training programmes for junior profiles with disabilities; collaboration on actions that promote and guarantee the inclusion of people with disabilities in fair ecological transition initiatives; socially responsible purchasing; and the promotion of volunteer programmes.
This alliance represents a firm step towards a more inclusive society, in which technology and innovation are at the service of all people, without exception.
