At the end of 2009 the SNCF employed 4,700 people with disabilities. The 2008-2011 agreement goes even further.

20 years of commitment{
This is the fifth agreement in the history of the SNCF designed to help disabled employees. It is part of a commitment that began nearly twenty years ago and just keeps on growing. The SNCF has a dream - of a more mobile society where people take better care of the environment and of one another. The agreement marks a huge step forward on four fronts -

Recruitment
At the end of 2008, 4222 people with disabilities worked for the SNCF and 4706 at the end of 2009. The SNCF is committed to recruiting at least another 600 disabled workers under the 2008-2011 agreement, including a hundred people on work-linked training schemes. In total, this will mean more than 1000 opportunities for people with disabilities.

After an accident
The SNCF is investing in specially-designed workstations to enable victims of accidents to remain in employment. 'Since I started at the SNCF, this policy has got me a left-handed (one-hand) computer keyboard, a programmable wireless mouse and a seat fitted with a right armrest,' says Jérôme, a signalling research agent at Gare du Nord, Paris.

Encouraging supported work schemes
All SNCF purchasers are encouraged to buy from companies that employ disabled workers. 'These companies are working hard to become more and more competitive and to fall in line with industry prices,' says Sylvie, Protected Sector Purchasing Manager. In 2009, the SNCF's 'solidarity' purchases amounted to €12.5 million (suppliers working to support disabled and/or unemployed people).

Supporting our staff{
This is the fourth focus of the agreement. 'My last hearing aid was part-financed by the SNCF,' explains Olivier, Section Manager at the Marseille equipment and maintenance centre. Transport solutions for the commute to work, priority allocation of appropriate accommodation if transferred long-distance - just some of a range of measures designed to make life simpler for our colleagues with disabilities.