August 19th marked sport’s biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination. We stand united with the biggest coalition of international organisations from the world of sport, human rights and entertainment. Working together with many others to initiate change for the world’s largest marginalized group, representing 1.2 billion persons with disabilities which make up 15% of the global population.

We stand united with the new iconic purple symbol of inclusivity. A vibrant symbol to unite the community and call for actionable change.

AIMS and UTS is proud of their working relationship with the International Paralympic Committee and the Special Olympics International. Yesterday, AIMS and UTS showed their deepest respect for WeThe15 alliances; International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics International, Invictus Games and Deaflympics. We are all looking forward to seeing the amazing talents with at least one major international sport event for persons with disabilities.

AIMS and UTS President and IFMA Secretary General, Stephan Fox, shows his deepest respect, excitement and certainly his full support towards this initiative. The WeThe15 movement is what we all should do, putting inclusion back, middle and centre of all our doings.

WeThe15: 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

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.

Joining 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 

IPC President Andrew Parsons said: “WeThe15 aspires to be the biggest ever human rights movement for persons with disabilities and aims to put disability right at the heart of the inclusion agenda, alongside ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

“By uniting several leading international organisations and the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities behind one common movement, we will make a tangible and well overdue difference for the planet’s largest marginalised group.

“Sport, and events such as the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, are hugely powerful vehicles to engage global audiences.  By partnering with Special Olympics, Invictus Games, and Deaflympics, there will be at least one major international sport event for persons with disabilities to showcase WeThe15 each year between now and 2030.  These sports events add great value to the campaign and underline the hugely positive impact sport can have on society. I strongly believe WeThe15 could be a real game-changer for persons with disabilities.”

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