This married couple, both of whom are deaf, run the company Rast Express and work closely with the Hinwil distribution base.

Equal opportu­nities for all

Swiss Post takes a wide range of measures to ensure that it is a company for everyone. This applies equally to employees with disabilities. Swiss Post systematically promotes accessibility and professional inclusion in the workplace.

Jolanda Schönenberger is blind, works at a computer and gets around Swiss Post headquarters without help from others.

Wheelchair user Nadja Schmid finds the new Swiss Post branches convenient.

People who are visually impaired, deaf or in a wheelchair have obstacles to cope with in everyday life: “Around 20 percent of our population is affected by a physical, mental or psychological impairment,” says Valerie Schelker, Head of Human Resources at Swiss Post. “We at Swiss Post reflect Switzerland as a whole. As an employer, we therefore ensure that people with disabilities are given equal access to our working environment and can contribute their skills.”

Digital assistance in Language Services

Jolanda Schönenberger works as a translator in Language Services. She is blind. So how can she work on a computer? “With voice output,” she explains. “The program reads everything out loud to me.” Before Jolanda began her internship, IT specialists checked Swiss Post’s programs for accessibility and enhanced their voice output. And she visited the office building in Berne’s Wankdorf district with a mobility trainer to get to know her way around.

Wheelchair-accessible environment

Nadja Schmid has worked at the PostFinance Contact Center for nine years. “When it comes to technology, security, login and the PostFinance App, I really know my stuff,” says the 30-year-old. Because she has a form of muscular atrophy, she is dependent on a wheelchair – so she’s also an expert when it comes to assessing the counter areas in the new accessible branches. “Open counters, swivel-mounted card readers and table extensions I can reach with my wheelchair – they really make things easier for everyone.”

Deliveries can also be made by the deaf

In Hinwil (Zurich), PostLogistics works with a delivery company run by a deaf couple. Most of their employees are also deaf. Is it going well? “The additional effort for communication is perfectly manageable,” says Ralph Stacher, Head of Planning and Dispatch Planning. “I don’t call the employees of course, I just text them when I need to.” Not only is he satisfied, but customers are, too. “On the rare occasions when someone reacts negatively – because the supplier replied indistinctly or didn’t respond to calls – that changes abruptly when the reason becomes clear. Then there are compliments for Swiss Post, and people find the collaboration a great idea.”