Telenor's Handicap Programme to continue under a new name: Telenor Open Mind
(Fornebu, 6 June 2007) This is the eleventh year that Telenor's Handicap Programme contributes to ensure that Norwegians with disabilities are offered a chance to take part in normal working life. The programme aims to generate wider acceptance for this group by changing prevailing attitudes in society. The programme will now be renamed and launched in other countries where Telenor has operations.
"The word 'handicapped' is used less frequently these days and may be seen by some as stigmatising. Telenor Open Mind better expresses the real intention behind the programme, which is to create a more open and inclusive working life. The new name also makes it easier to take the programme to countries outside Norway," said Ingrid Ihme, Head of Telenor Open Mind.
The programme has already been introduced in Sweden, and will, in the course of next year, also be introduced in Denmark. Telenor has operations in 13 countries around the globe - in the Nordic region, in Central and Eastern Europe and in Asia - and Telenor's aim is to bring the programme to more countries outside the Nordics.
"An inclusive working life means added value. From our position this is about preparing for the future. To strengthen Telenor's competitive edge as we go forward, we need to have the best minds available, and these are also found among those with disabilities. We are also seeing that the work environment is growing stronger when we integrate people with disabilities in our operations," said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor.
Telenor Open Mind is a two-year educational and work-training programme for people with physical disabilities, reduced mobility or hearing and seeing impairments. The programme offers participants an opportunity to enter working life by upgrading their skills through relevant work training. Applicants are required to participate in an occupational rehabilitation programme from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation, and they must have completed upper secondary school or have other relevant training. Young people without any work experience will be given priority in the admission process.
A total of 100 people have completed the programme, and more than 75 of these are now permanently employed. They have gone from being recipients of national insurance benefits to become regular taxpayers. In 2006, SINTEF performed an evaluation of the programme, drawing the conclusion that it had been a success, not only for individual users, but also for society at large. Companies are discovering that employees with disabilities are a resource and an asset to their working environment. SINTEF has estimated that the net socio-economic gain from the programme amounts to approximately NOK 100 million.
Telenor Open Mind will continue under its current motto: You don't have to go to work as long as you turn up.
Please refer to http://www.telenor.no/openmind/ for more information about the programme, the SINTEF report and more.
Contact:
Ingrid Ihme, Head of Telenor Open Mind, Tel: +47 95039052
Scott Engebrigtsen, Head of Information at Telenor, Tel: +47 90043484