A global human rights movement for the 1.2 billion persons with disabilities
• Multiple international organisations unite for decade-long campaign to transform the lives of 1.2 billion people. • Campaign led by International Paralympic Committee, International Disability Alliance, UN Human Rights, UNESCO, UNAOC amongst others • For the first time ever, IPC, Special Olympics, Invictus Games and International Committee of Sports for the Deaf collaborate • Airing of campaign film, symbol unveil and iconic purple landmark light-up highlight today’s launch Multiple leading international organisations have united to launch WeThe15, which aspires to be the biggest ever human rights movement to represent the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities. Launched ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 aims to end discrimination towards persons with disabilities and act as a global movement publicly campaigning for disability visibility, accessibility, and inclusion. Spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Disability Alliance (IDA), WeThe15 brings together the biggest coalition ever of international organisations from the worlds of sport, human rights, policy, business, arts, and entertainment. Together they will work with governments, businesses, and the public over the next decade to initiate change for the world’s largest marginalised group who make up 15% of the global population. Harnessing sport’s unique ability to engage massive global audiences and create positive change, the IPC, Special Olympics, Invictus Games Foundation and the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (Deaflympics) have teamed up for the first time in history. The four organisations will use the profile of their international sport events and athlete communities to further raise awareness and understanding of the issues facing persons with disabilities around the globe. more- understanding-fundamentals-of-reachJoining the sport organisations in this decade of action are International Disability Alliance, UN Human Rights, UNESCO, the UN SDG Action Campaign, the European Commission, The Valuable 500, Global Citizen, Global Disability Innovation Hub, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), International Disability and Development Consortium, C-Talent, Global Goals Advisory, ATscale – the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, Zero Project, and the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations (GAATO). Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, WeThe15 aims to change attitudes and create more opportunities by: • Putting persons with disabilities at the heart of the diversity and inclusion agenda • Implementing a range of activities targeting governments, businesses, and the public to drive social inclusion for persons with disabilities • Breaking down societal and systemic barriers that are preventing persons with disabilities from fulfilling their potential and being active members of society • Ensuring greater awareness, visibility, and representation of persons with disabilities • Promoting the role of assistive technology as a vehicle to driving social inclusion