Marina Maher Communications (MMC)’s Post

The countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is ON 🏸🤺🏅🤼♂️ But is your brand ready? This year’s Paralympic Games are an incredible opportunity to start your inclusion journey and create a more progressive dialogue around disability. If you don't know where to start, speak to the community, seek expert insights from those with lived experience and how that can compliment your strategy seamlessly 🚀 📧 info@purplegoatagency.com 📧 #ParalympicGames #OlympicGames #Inclusion #DisabilityInclusion #Representation #DisabilityAwareness #BrandStrategy #MarketingStrategy

As a Paralympic athlete, Jonnie Peacock's journey is a remarkable story of resilience and determination. Overcoming significant challenges, he has not only achieved great success in sports but also become a symbol of inspiration. His achievements highlight the incredible potential of athletes with disabilities and emphasize the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in sports. Jonnie's story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance and courage, extraordinary feats are possible, inspiring a more inclusive world for all. Visit http://zenythgroup.com to explore our mission, vision, and the transformative services we offer - discover how we're unlocking a world of accessibility for all. [alt text:An image of Jonnie Peacock holding a flag with an overlay text “I lost my leg aged five now I'm 1.9 secs behind Usain Bolts" And the Zenyth logo at the bottom left.] #JonniePeacock #ParalympicHero #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion #AccessibilityCompliance #InclusiveWeb #ADACompliance #AccessibilityInTech #BreakingBarriers #DEI #WebAccessibility #DigitalEquality #DigitalAccessibility #Inclusivity #WCAG #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #Inclusion #Zenyth #DEI #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityInclusion #equality #inclusion #inclusive #community

Fantastic reporting Sarah Richards the kind of reporting that only comes from having a disabled person in roles like journalist. From a lived experience perspective and because it helps build trust with the community that you have skin in the game. You might not realise but your next article is already written. I worry that 'universal access' just won't cut it. Its a term with too much wiggle room. Universal access is what you do to go above compliance. We haven't got there yet. Adherence to disability standards for public transport, achieving the government's own targets for employment, these haven't been met. Compliance is the benchmark that's been established as the base. Dont build a house on poor foundations. Any measures of legacy need to be explored with the understanding of why haven't we gotten to bare minimum so far? #brisbane2032 #paralympics #disability

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” – Henry Ford 2032 might be a while away, but Brisbane is eager to create a memorable sporting event for people with disabilities in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. To prepare, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and advisory firm Urbis have released the Game Changers report, analysing five major sporting events to assess the legacy they’ve left behind, as well as successes and failures from past Olympic events. The consensus? There’s been a lot of missed opportunities to create a lasting legacy for people with disabilities — which is what Brisbane wants to rectify. For instance, in 2012, the London Olympic and Paralympic Games had issues with accessible transport, and people with hearing or vision impairment felt unsupported. It’s clear there’s still a lot of potential for sporting events to be more inclusive and accessible — I’m so glad to see that Brisbane is up for the challenge 🥇🙌 Visual Description: Fireworks from a Paralympic Games opening ceremony. #2024DisabilityEmpowerment #ParalympicGames #Sports

On today's research summary, we share this snapshot content from the research paper, Paralympic Broadcasting in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sport, Media and Communication for Social Change. Paralympic coverage has proven to be a powerful tool in challenging stigma and engaging the public on disability rights. However, its reach has been uneven globally, with limited opportunities for audiences in parts of the Global South to tune in. That's why the International Paralympic Committee has taken a bold step in broadcasting Paralympic events across sub-Saharan Africa, with the explicit goal of challenging disability stigma. Drawing on insights from Communication for Social Change (CfSC), we explore how this initiative can drive significant impact. By leveraging CfSC principles like Communicative Ecologies, we can amplify the voices of disability communities, embrace local communication practices, and highlight culturally specific narratives surrounding disability. This study underscores the potential of Paralympic broadcasting as a catalyst for social change and disability rights advocacy in sub-Saharan Africa. Through collaboration with local advocacy groups and the integration of culturally relevant storytelling, CfSC offers a promising framework to dismantle stigma and foster inclusivity. However, critical analysis remains essential. We must acknowledge the limitations of Paralympic broadcasts without meaningful engagement from local stakeholders. Further research is imperative to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of these initiatives, paving the way for a more inclusive realm of communication and sport in the Global South. Click the link below to read more: bit.ly/3Wqrbb3 #GDIHub #AT2030 #Loughborough University #Paralympics #Research

The Paralympic Games redefine social inclusion. A look at the history of sports inclusion (2008-2016): ➡️ China's 2008 Paralympic Games led to societal changes, improving accessibility, passing new legislation, and signifying a commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. ➡️ London's 2012 Paralympic Games, with inclusive media coverage by Channel 4, significantly changed attitudes towards disability in the UK, influencing one in three residents. ➡️ The 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, prompted accessibility improvements, serving as a model for inclusion and accessibility in the nation. ➡️ Rio 2016 invested in making tourist attractions accessible, and Brazil passed new legislation to enhance the lives of 50 million people with disabilities. The Paralympics challenge deep-seated perceptions about disabilities and drive social inclusion. It epitomizes social inclusion, inspiring change, influencing legislation, and empowering individuals with disabilities.

“How Brisbane's 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games can learn from the past to create a legacy for people with a disability” – another great article by Sarah Richards published on ABC News. Sara writes about the Game Changers report. In short: The Game Changers report has examined five past sporting events in the hopes Brisbane can learn from their strengths and weaknesses. The report looked at Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, Tokyo and Paris, as well as the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. What's next? Brisbane 2032 legacy committee chair Grace Grace said she's committed to making the most of the chance to create a "transformational legacy" for people with a disability. Check out Sara’s article: https://lnkd.in/gQMCpvZn   As a former Paralympian myself, it is sometimes surprising that events made for Paralympians forget that tens of thousands of supporters with disabilities will be coming to watch the competition. They also forget that the city already is home to thousands of persons with disabilities, and people who can benefit form universal design. Let’s get in now and get Brisbane the most universally designed and inclusive city in the world! Incidentally, did you see the University of Queensland got a QS World Ranking the other day of 40th in the world? Why not give us a call for your inclusion and Paralympic needs? #uq #Paralympics #inclusion #disability #sport 

I've been thinking about "DEI" for what seems like a long time now... and only lately have I realized the acronym could, probably should, be broader. This post by Dani Aravich, a two-time Paralympian on my team (both winter and summer, NBD) makes a logical and passionate case for us all to discuss DEIA - diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. When 15% of the world's population has a disability, perhaps it's time. I'd be curious to hear from others in the DEI community on whether you're ready to expand the acronym to be truly reflective of our communities. https://lnkd.in/gAMeWfhC #diversity #equity #inclusion #accessibility

Our piece for sportanddev.org on the sports and physical activity (SAPA) legacy we must create for, with and by persons with disabilities. With Shubham Jain | Mridul Kataria Sports and Society Accelerator

🤝🇭🇷 #throwback The Croatian Paralympic Committee, in collaboration with Allianz d.d., unveiled an informative video showcasing the importance of inclusion, not only in #parasports but also within the #privatesector. For the best practices of the collaboration, feel free to check the blog post on our website and the video, via the links below: 📌Link to the blog post: https://lnkd.in/dYCNMGWj 📌Link to the video: https://lnkd.in/dr9UTM6t #csrforparasport Institut za društveno odgovorno poslovanje - The Croatian Institute for CSR Magyar Paralimpiai Csapat Paraolimpijac Šport invalidov Slovenský paralympijský výbor #csr #csr4parasport #parasport #inclusivity #inclusive #equality #integrity *Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessary reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.