In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras sits down with Luc Gillis, a former lifetime EU official living a full life with visual impairment. His career at the European Commission spanned over 40 years, from switchboard operator to senior roles in HR and EU staff selection.
Luc shares his perspective on how the EU institutions have professionalised over time, particularly in the field of human resources, and reflects on his own experience living with a visual impairment.
They discuss:
- The evolution of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and HR practices
- Disability, ability, blindness vs. impairment, and using the right language
- How digital tools and accessible design for visual challenges transformed his work and life
- Why Luc opposes quotas but strongly supports equal opportunities
- The importance of “reasonable accommodation” in both policy and attitude
- Broader reflections on diversity, meritocracy, and being part of the EU project
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