https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/epo-hosts-myability-live-matching-event-munich-0

EPO hosts myAbility live matching event in Munich

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myAbility 17062025

As part of the EPO’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusion and support access to employment, the two-day event brought together around 30 talents with disabilities and representatives from eight myAbility partner companies: Google, Microsoft, IBM, GSK, Allianz, AXA, Generali, and Penguin Random House.

Commitment to inclusion

Opening the event, the EPO reaffirmed its dedication to equal opportunity and advancing inclusive workplace practices. Participants learned about the EPO’s support for employees with disabilities, as well as the vital role of staff networks in fostering a sense of belonging.

Day one also featured a presentation by Tatjana Schweizer from the Federal Employment Agency (ZAV) on how the agency supports employers filling vacancies with academically qualified, severely disabled people and an impulse session with Stephan Kruip, EPO patent examiner and chair of the non-profit organisation Mukoviszidose e.V. The programme concluded with awareness-raising and networking, setting the stage for the matching activities on day two.

Talent matching

Day two began with an inspiring keynote by Florian Malicke, neurodiversity coach, on their own experiences with autism and ADHD, the gendered differences in the way in which neurodiversity manifests itself, the challenges of neurodivergent people in the working environment. The remainder of the day was dedicated to matching participants with myAbility partners for upcoming job shadowing opportunities. 

The event encouraged meaningful conversations on inclusion and workplace accessibility, aligning with the EPO’s broader diversity and inclusion efforts. Participants reflected on the event describing it as both inspiring and empowering.

“The Matching Event in Munich was exciting, inspiring, motivating, and simply made us happy”, shared one attendee. Another echoed this sentiment: “We enjoyed engaging conversations and look forward to further exchanges with these remarkable talents.”

Next steps

Looking ahead, job shadowing placements will take place in September in cooperation with myAbility, giving matched participants the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into various departments at the EPO.