By Brian Lewis
Chair, SIGA Permanent Committee on Gender, Race, Inclusion and Diversity (SIGA GRID)
In addition to promoting competition for athletes with disabilities, the Paralympics also serve as an opportunity for host cities to improve accessibility for residents and visitors with disabilities. Notwithstanding the good intentions, the world is still far away from where it should be. Consider this: during the arc of our collective and individual human history, two things will occur. We will all either die too soon or live too long. Should we end up on the “live too long” spectrum, disability in some form or fashion will occur.
As such, respect and empathy for those with disabilities are necessary.
The Paralympic Games give people around the world the opportunity to engage, watch, support, and cheer on human beings who refuse to be defined by their disabilities. The Paralympic Games are an affirmation of self-worth and self-belief.
In so doing, the awesome stories of the best version of what is a worthy striving unfold.
Inclusion, diversity, and equality in real time. Action speaks louder than words.
Many physically disabled people can do physically strenuous sports, and at a high level of effort and achievement. The Paralympics are competitive, and disabled athletes work hard and want to win. The athleticism on display is authentic.
The Paralympic Games are an opportunity for the world’s top disabled athletes to compete alongside their peers and show their skills on an international platform. They are also a reminder that people with disabilities have the right to participate at all levels, whether competitively or not.
According to the International Paralympic Committee, the Paralympic Games focus on values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.
The Paralympic Games are not only an integral part of the worldwide sporting calendar, but they also play an important role in inspiring others to think differently about disability as the largest event worldwide for driving social change.
Paralympians are inspiring future generations; however, they are also part of a wider movement that is helping to transform the lives of others and change attitudes towards disabled people.
Research data contends that disabled young people are less likely to participate in a range of sports and activities, particularly play-related activities and facilities. Disabled adults spend less time participating in any given week than non-disabled adults.
The impact of the Games can drive action, consensus, and commitment to working in partnership, investing, and building global, continental, and national capability to deliver better outcomes for disabled people around the world.
According to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the core Paralympic values at the heart of the Paralympic Movement are determination, equality, inspiration, and courage. The IPC further defines these values as follows:
- Courage: It encompasses the unique spirit of the Paralympic athlete who seeks to accomplish what the general public deems unexpected, but what the athlete knows as a truth.
- Determination: The manifestation of the idea that Paralympic athletes push their physical ability to the absolute limit.
- Inspiration: When intense and personal affection is begotten from the stories and accomplishments of Paralympic athletes, and the effect is applying this spirit to one’s personal life.
- Equality: Paralympic sport acts as an agent for change to break down social barriers of discrimination for persons with an impairment.
The reality experienced by disabled persons globally falls way short of acceptable standards. It’s the commitment of the SIGA GRID Committee to not just advocate for inclusion and non-discrimination, but to lead by example and take decisive action to ensure that the intersectionality of discriminatory practices that adversely impact those who are most vulnerable is eradicated. SIGA GRID is dedicated to making a positive difference.
The Paralympic Games allow each of us to look in the mirror and ask ourselves: Am I doing my best to contribute to a world free of discrimination in all its iterations?
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