At Aabentoft, sustainability is a central part of our business strategy. We are actively working to reduce our environmental footprint through major initiatives such as sustainable construction, solar panel installations, electric and hybrid vehicles, and EV charging stations.
In our daily operations, we work with small, custom-tailored productions and respond to urgent REHAB service tasks. We therefore welcome input on new, valuable initiatives that can further strengthen our sustainable approach and contribute to a greener future—while also fulfilling the social responsibility we carry in our everyday work.
We are committed to the environment and society, and we believe that if everyone contributes the best they can within their means, together we can make a significant difference for the environment.
Marlene P. Rasmussen
The Green Academy
Aabentoft has hosted three change agents working on sustainable business development and green transition through The Green Academy in Aarhus. The purpose of The Green Academy is to upskill highly educated job seekers and support companies in their green transition. Through a 9-week program—consisting of 5 weeks of training and 4 weeks of company internship—participants are educated as green change agents.
These change agents possess competencies in areas such as CO? calculation, circular economy, sustainable business development, and ESG reporting. During the program, the participants worked in interdisciplinary teams in collaboration with Aabentoft to develop sustainability reports. These reports outline potential initiatives and include concrete action plans for implementing green measures.
Employee Wellbeing as Part of Social Sustainability
Employee wellbeing is a key part of Aabentoft’s commitment to social sustainability. Aabentoft is a workplace that prioritizes the wellbeing of its employees, and we’ve recently come to realize that this is one of the great stories that deserves a place in our sustainability profile.
Among our regular activities, we have two annual traditions: a summer event and a Christmas party. Our summer events have included everything from obstacle courses and climbing to canoeing— the latter in pouring rain, which turned out to be a hilariously fun experience. At Aabentoft, we’re absolutely crazy about Christmas and decorations. Every year, we go all out with festive decor—almost rivaling Salling and the Aarhus pedestrian street—and we love seeing the surprised faces of visitors when they walk through the door.
We also try to brighten up the workday with healthy juices—though we must admit, we’re also incredibly fond of cake.
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A Targeted Focus on Empowering People with Disabilities on Their Own Terms
At Aabentoft, we believe that independence enhances quality of life! In fact, we believe in it so strongly that it has become the core message we share most often—you’ll see it on our website, clothing, and printed materials. Independence is central to a person’s sense of dignity and self-confidence. For individuals with disabilities, assistive devices can be the key to performing daily activities with little or no help from others.
Independence can manifest in various ways—such as mobility when using wheelchairs or similar aids, the ability to communicate, manage everyday life, use upper body functions, and feel at ease in one’s own body.
In short, our goal is to create a more inclusive world by providing each individual with the best possible conditions, based on their unique needs, so everyone can enjoy a meaningful, independent daily life and a fulfilling existence.
Retaining Individuals in the Workforce
Aabentoft supplies various types of arm supports—both mechanical and electronic. These aids can provide everyday support for individuals with reduced function and/or severe pain in the arms, neck, and shoulders. Arm supports not only enhance or restore functionality but also help relieve strain and promote better ergonomic working positions in certain professions. Additionally, they are used for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Mechanical arm supports are suitable for individuals with some degree of mobility, while electronic arm supports are designed for those who require powered assistance.
These assistive devices are of interest to industries, job centers, and insurance companies, as they can help retain workers and reduce the number of work-related injuries. This initiative supports social sustainability and contributes to the social bottom line. It also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.5, which promotes full employment and decent work with equal pay for all.
Free Training in AAC
Training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) contributes to social sustainability in our society. In addition to spreading awareness about the importance of AAC for individuals without verbal language and offering free training sessions, Aabentoft places a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing within the field. We frequently participate in networks and seminars and actively support both local and larger events where our consultants give presentations.
Both our in-person courses and online webinars help educate staff, professionals, therapists, and family members with the shared goal of giving everyone a voice. Training in AAC, alternative access methods, and related topics is also an integral part of Aabentoft’s Sustainability Profile. These educational initiatives support UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 4—Quality Education—and specifically Target 4.5, which aims to ensure equal access to education for vulnerable groups.
Establishing the Grid Denmark Community with a Focus on Consistently Creating Relevant Content
At Aabentoft, we strive to be strong role models and socially responsible. One example of this is the Facebook group Grid Denmark—a community for professionals, consultants, relatives, users, and essentially anyone with an interest in the field.
Grid Denmark is a forum where members can support and help each other. It provides a space for knowledge sharing related to AAC in general, but especially about Grid—sharing useful page sets, questions, ideas, and anything else members wish to contribute.
Our consultant Rikke is also actively working to create and share relevant content in the group and regularly posts updates and news in Grid Denmark.
Aabentoft’s green profile and the sustainability initiatives described above represent a selection of elements from our everyday operations. In other words, they are not a definitive checklist, as ESG is a field we continuously focus on—and a concept we are constantly learning more about.