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News of December 1, 2022

A purple glow

HZDR sets an example for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

In order to draw attention to the economic self-determination of persons with disabilities, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) will bathe its entrance area in purple in the evening hours of December 2nd and 3rd, 2022. With this act, the Saxon research institution is supporting the global campaign #PurpleLightUp, which aims to raise public awareness of the rights and concerns of persons with disabilities on their International Day (December 3). The color purple is used symbolically for a wide variety of activities.

Foto: #PurpleLightUp im Eingangsbereich des HZDR ©Copyright: HZDR

The HZDR entrance area is illuminated with purple light.

Source: HZDR

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“Our center stands for diversity, because diversity means wealth,” emphasizes the Administrative Director of the HZDR, Dr. Diana Stiller. “By participating in the ‘PurpleLightUp’ campaign, we want to make it clear that our six locations are safe places for everyone to work and research undisturbed. We are aware that, especially when it comes to persons with disabilities, we have not yet reached the goal we set ourselves and that we can and must continue to improve. However, I am certain that our measures will enable us to establish ourselves as a barrier-free center with equal opportunities for everyone.”

In order to increase the visibility of the HZDR as an attractive place to work for severely disabled persons, the representative for severely disabled persons, Dr. Frank Bok, together with the "Equal Opportunities and Diversity" working group, invited teachers from several schools in Dresden and the surrounding area to Rossendorf last year. In an open discussion, the participants dealt with the possibilities of how pupils with a severe disability can be won over to the apprenticeship offers at the HZDR.

“The first successfully arranged internships at these schools show that our transparent approach is already bearing fruit,” estimates Bok. “We still have a long way to go to increase the employment rate of persons with severe disabilities, which is currently just over two percent. Overall, however, we are taking the right steps. Symbolic actions, such as our support of the 'PurpleLightUp' campaign, send the right message."


Media contact:
Simon Schmitt | Head
Communications and Media Relations at HZDR
Phone: +49 351 260 3400 | Mobile: +49 175 874 2865 | Email: s.schmitt@hzdr.de