December 3rd marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities – a day to promote the rights and wellbeing of those with a disability.
From wheelchair basketball to accessible mobile phones, here is how Vodafone supports greater inclusion:
Customers
As The Nation’s Network, and a member of the Valuable 500, it’s vital that Vodafone’s products and services are made with everyone in mind. To help ensure this remains the case, a dedicated line and email address are available to help customers get the support they need.
Whether an individual has limited mobility, restricted vision or difficulty hearing, Vodafone can assist. That might result in changing the format of bills and contracts or it could simply mean highlighting your account so you won’t have to explain your needs every time you get in touch.
This help also extends to finding a device that works for you. Between big buttons, large screens and SOS buttons, Vodafone offers a range of devices with key accessibility features, as well as tablets that are often better suited for those with sight, hearing or dexterity problems.
Vodafone makes interviews more inclusive by sharing questions ahead of time
Interviews often go best when you’re able to show up as your self – confidently and calmly. But unexpected challenges can arise on the day, especially for neurodiverse applicants. Which is why Vodafone is making a change.
Partnerships
A disability shouldn’t prevent you from living a full and active lifestyle, which is why Vodafone UK is involved in a wide variety of initiatives and partnerships, ranging from disability sport to accessible technology.
This starts at grassroots level with Play Your Way to Wimbledon (PYWTW), powered by Vodafone. PYWTW is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and, as of 2023, includes wheelchair, visually impaired and learning disability categories – part of Vodafone’s broader commitment to improve accessibility in tennis by using its connectivity and innovative technology to encourage uptake.
And the support continues to Grand Slams – not only through ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE, but also in the form of a partnership with GiveVision that saw Vodafone trial 5G headsets at Wimbledon 2023, allowing visually impaired fans to experience tennis like never before.
Beyond tennis, Vodafone’s PLAYER.Connect technology also supported British Wheelchair Basketball’s Men’s team ahead of their 2024 summer international tournament.
Meanwhile, Internet of Things technology played a central role in Vodafone and Mencap’s work to improve the quality of life of those living with learning disabilities in the UK, as part of the Connected Living project.
“I’m proud to work for Vodafone because people across our organisation champion neurodivergence”
Michele Mead, Portfolio and Programme Management Lead at Vodafone, explains the importance of championing neurodivergence and how Vodafone is helping to create a more inclusive workplace.
Employees
When it comes to employees, Vodafone UK is committed to making its working spaces and practices as accessible as possible, so that individuals – regardless of their situation – can thrive.
This approach is epitomised by the VodABILITY people network, which supports all types of disabilities across the business, creating an inclusive workplace for those directly or indirectly affected by disability.
The network recently contributed to real change within the company, by suggesting Vodafone changed its interviewing practices to improve inclusivity, sharing questions ahead of time to ensure neurodiverse applicants can prepare equally.
Finally, Vodafone is also part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, and is working on upgrading its Disability Confident accreditation from Level 2 to Level 3.
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