Launched on August 19, 2021, before the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 is a major human rights movement aimed at ending discrimination against people with disabilities, who make up about 15% of the world’s population. Led by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), it is the largest coalition of international organizations from the fields of sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts, and entertainment.
To coincide with July’s Disability Pride Month, the WeThe15 campaign launched a new nine-part podcast series on July 1 to highlight issues of representation for people with disabilities in various sectors and industries.
The ‘WeThe15: Access All Areas’ podcast features key figures in the disability rights space and addresses the lack of representation, engaging with decision-makers, and DEI leaders who present practical solutions. It celebrates people with disabilities, their identities, culture, and contributions to society. It also aims to change the way people think about and define disability, end stigma, and promote the belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity while raising awareness of the challenges still faced today.
For the next nine weeks starting July 1, a new podcast episode will be released each week leading up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Episodes will be available on major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcast, and the IPC’s YouTube channel.
Hosted by British broadcaster and producer Andy Stevenson, each episode features two guests in a discussion format. Episode themes include advertising and media, government and politics, entertainment, and education, among others.
In the first episode, Greg Nugent, former Director of Brand, Marketing, and Culture for the London 2012 Games, and Rising Phoenix film producer, along with Martin Beverley, Chief Strategy Officer at adam&eve DDB, discuss the representation of people with disabilities in advertising and media, current portrayals of disability on and off-screen, its natural integration, and steps to improve the status quo.
More information: https://www.paralympic.org/news/wethe15-podcast-launched-highlight-issues-representation