The first Handipact and Innovation Day was a huge success

©Direction de la Communication - Stéphane Danna

On 3 December, the Principality of Monaco hosted the first Handipact Day to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day was organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and was attended by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince.

This first-ever event, based on the theme of ‘Innovation for disability’, showcased technological advances and initiatives for those living with disabilities and, in the words of the Minister Mr Christophe Robino, is "a reflection of our collective commitment to a model society, one in which everyone can find their rightful place, a society in which we are all equal, in which the inclusion of people with visible or invisible disabilities is not just a dream, but a reality".

The Minister of State, Didier Guillaume, attended this event, which featured meetings and exchanges, including demonstrations of technological innovations and poignant testimonials, along with the presentation of Handipact Trophies, designed by Monegasque artist Caroline Bergonzi.

- Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrad, Chief of the Monaco Fire Brigade, for implementing a solution for the hearing impaired.

- Ms Virginie Dubost, public speaker and entrepreneur committed to disability and accessibility, Olympic torchbearer for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

- Mr Julien Vedani, beta tester for an ascent of Kilimanjaro on an exoskeleton and co-founder of We Are Handi with Ms Laure Gabin, also a torchbearer for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Ms Laetitia Politi, Ms Carole Bloom and Mr Clément Ferry were also received recognition, in their capacity as committed retailers, for having been the first to sign up to the HANDIPACT strategy, using the government aid made available to improve accessibility of their businesses.

This was followed by a round-table discussion with experts and innovators, including Marco Landi, former Chairman of Apple Computer; Arthur Alba, Chairman and Founder of 'Street Co', Virginie Dubost and Julien-Paul Vedani.

Attendees had the chance to test and discover new technological solutions, including several that use artificial intelligence.

- An exoskeleton used by Mr Julien -Paul Vedani.

- The STREET CO mobile app, designed to make travelling easier for people with reduced mobility, from Mr Arthur Alba.

- Marco Landi's QUESTIT digital solution, capable of understanding and responding in sign language.

- TRANSCRILIVE, the digital solution for instant voice transcription for the hearing impaired proposed by DUPONT and HEYRAUD.

Finally, attendees had the opportunity to meet Monegasque associations committed* to all types of visible and invisible disabilities and to try out the 'Accéder Côte-d'Azur' wheelchair trail.

By marking this day, the Prince's Government's reaffirms its commitment to building a society inclusive of people with disabilities and accessible to all.

AMHM (Association Monégasque des Handicapés Moteur - The Monegasque Association for the Motor Impaired)

CICAM (Club International des amis des Chiens guides d’Aveugles de Monaco - The International Club of Friends of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Monaco)

AMAPEI (Association Monégasque pour l’Aide et la Protection de l’Enfance Inadaptée - The Monegasque Association for the Support and Protection of Disadvantaged Children)

Happy Hand

D’Amore Psy

Special Olympics

Monaco Disease Power

Association monégasque pour les sourds (Monegasque Association for the Deaf)