“It was about fifteen years ago that we were approached
by this service provider for people with disabilities. I still
remember their first introduction sentence: “We have young
people with a disability eager to work and we are convinced
that they can do well in your company”. Why not, we thought,
we have no idea what it means for us, but we are open to
give these young people a chance”.

“After some trial days, where we get to know our future
colleagues and they get to know the field of work and their
future colleagues, we signed an apprenticeship contract
for both Reinhard and Simon. They both had a sort of an
inclusive apprenticeship. This meant a partial apprenticeship
where they were allowed to learn just some parts of a sports
store, combined with limited school requirements. It was
all adapted to their performance possibilities, where the
others needed to learn all. For us and for them, this phase
was intensive and lasted long, since we had to find out what
worked and what not. Fortunately, we were supported by this
service provider who informed us about all the possibilities
for support and funding.”

“Both Simon and Reinhard were welcomed very open by our
staff in the different stores. We really wanted to go for this
new adventure and give both this chance. Soon, we found
out, it would take some effort to find the right department for
them; the right department from our sight, from their sight
and from the sight of the customers. This took some time.
Let me give an example. For instance, Reinhard is a cross
country skier, he has huge knowledge about all different
products and their usage. It was our idea to let him sell this
equipment in wintertime, then we found out our customers
were not convinced by his expertise, and we had to find
another department for him to continue his apprenticeship.”

“Their task was to learn, improve and achieve their
individual goals of vocational training. For us, it was all a
new experience, we had not gone down the path of training
teenagers with a disability. Our knowledge was limited and
our expectations open and uncertain, but their friendliness
and motivation made it easy for them to become part of the
team. It was the same with customers.

“Simon and Reinhard sometimes needed more support,
which took more time of our staff. For instance, Reinhard had
great knowledge about cross country skiing but when he
came to other departments, he needed a lot of support to
give information about products and how to use or present
them. We were compensated for this with a grant from the
Social Ministry.”

“Throughout this whole period, we were supported by this
service provider who introduced the two adolescents to us.
They supported us in combining our expectations and the
requirements of the vocational school. They made product
posters for the school and the presentation of goods was
practiced, and specialist knowledge of materials was
repeated. This helped us to focus on the task of making
progress in our daily work as sales educators. I was relieved
that it wasn’t obligatory for the two of them to go through all
departments. The focus could be placed on the department
that they liked best. Interestingly, for both of them it was
mountain sports. It was impressive how the two of them
were able to present shoes to the customer in a sporty,
casual way, this was done with one hand and the other arm
as a support.”

“Simon’s workplace was adapted by installing a camera
and screen on his table, so it was easier for him to read
lower case letters and numbers. This adaption was financed
partly by the insurance company, the local state and the
Social Ministry. Reinhard did not need any adaptation.”

“After their apprenticeship, we hired them both as regular
employees. Compared to Simon, it took some more years for
Reinhard to receive his signed apprenticeship. That is now
more than ten years ago, and they both like to work here.
Simon’s role is to advise customers in the field of mountain
sports. This includes mountain boots, backpacks, sleeping
bags and everything else that has to do with mountain
sports. Reinhard is specialised in selling mountaineering
items, which includes advising customers, ordering items,
replenishing merchandise and labelling products.

“We can still count on the support of the service provider;
we are happy with their specialist knowledge and active
attitude. At the same time, we hardly make use of it.
Reinhard and Simon also have the possibility to contact
them if they have any questions.”

“We have now reached the status quo that Simon and
Reinhard are 100% integrated into the company. And, if
a suitable candidate emerges, we are again open to hire
somebody who needs support. Of course, this means a
certain amount of effort, but the job market as a whole is very
challenging when it comes to finding qualified employees.”

“We have now been able to harvest the positive results
of this decision. We would for sure do it again. We now
have four employees with a disability. In fact, we ask our
service provider to introduce people with disabilities to
job vacancies in our company. I can only recommend my
fellow employers to offer integrative workplaces. It is an
enrichment for society, the team and the entire company.
And, it is also worthwhile economically.”