Yesterday, the APAJH, a French federation defending the rights of handicapped people, rewarded the Group for its action in favour of its handicapped customers.

The APAJH "Entreprise Citoyenne" (socially responsible company) trophy is awarded to major companies with more than 5,000 employees, which implement a global, cross-sector policy in favour of people facing handicaps.

The APAJH (Association Pour Adultes et Jeunes Handicapés - Association for Handicapped Adults and Young People) federates 87 associations for the disabled and manages 600 establishments, with a total membership of 25,000 people.
This award recognises the benefits of the unique solution implemented by the Group's Accessibility Department. The solution is based on an appropriate offer ("the autonomy offers"), the distribution circuit (4,800 sales personnel trained to handle the needs of the disabled, 9 regional Accessibility representatives, 151 "handicap solutions" stores, a dedicated website and a special freephone number) and specific communications material. A particular mention was given to the "design for all" approach, which is integrated into product design from the very early stages.
The Group's Accessibility Department was keen to involve in its success the achievements made within the company in favour of handicapped employees, not least with the recent three-year company-wide agreement, together with the Orange Foundation's sponsorship actions targeting autism and visual and hearing disabilities, highlighting the Group's consistent approach to the needs of the disabled.

Didier Lombard, France Telecom's CEO, was presented with the trophy during a gala evening at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, presented by TV personality Stéphane Bern, in the company of several government ministers, and numerous artistes and personalities.