#PurpleLightUp was the motto on 3 December, the "International Day of Persons with Disabilities". #PurpleLightUp is a global campaign that sets an example for a self-determined and equal life for people with disabilities with activities in the colour purple (lilac/violet) around the world.

In Austria, around 18 per cent of people live with a disability and fight against prejudices and barriers every day. Work is an important lever for inclusion. "As REWE Group, we want to contribute to breaking down barriers in the lives of people with disabilities. We don't see the individual needs of our employees as a restriction, but as an enrichment for us as a team. Every day, our 800 or so colleagues with disabilities show us anew how valuable their contribution is to the REWE family," says Sandra Edelmann, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at REWE Group in Austria.

Employees with a wide range of disabilities, such as learning difficulties or chronic illnesses, work in all parts of the Group, from the BILLA, BILLA PLUS, BIPA, PENNY and ADEG shops to logistics and the company headquarters. People with disabilities work as fully-fledged employees and in inclusive teams with colleagues who overcome small barriers in everyday life together.

Inclusion is an important topic for REWE Group in Austria. Applicants with disabilities are actively approached with inclusive job adverts. Since 2015, the number of employees with disabilities has doubled. This is supported by a certified accessible online job market. Special attention is also paid to the training of inclusive apprentices. BILLA alone is currently training 53 trainees with an officially registered disability and 278 integrative trainees who need special support to complete their training. BILLA was the first retailer in Austria to introduce an accessible flyer more than a year ago. The Silent Hour makes shopping easier for people with autism in individual stores.

The 3rd of December was intended to honour employees with disabilities and their valuable contribution to the company. These four colleagues provide an insight into the opportunities for people with disabilities at REWE International AG:

Anna-Maria, BIPA trainee Anna-Maria is a second-year apprentice with a hearing impairment at BIPA and came to REWE Group via Caritas. In addition to her accuracy and openness, she enriches the team by advising deaf customers in sign language.

Corinna works at the delicatessen counter at BILLA PLUS and has had Silver-Russel syndrome since birth. She became aware of the job at BILLA PLUS through Haus Aktiv and an internship. Corinna is responsible for the cheese counter in the delicatessen, where she is responsible for the display case design, labelling and individual customer requests.