Ipc Tackles Stigma Of Disability By Making Tokyo 2020 Free To Air In Sub-saharan Africa

The International Paralympic Committee is aiming to tackle the stigma of disability by making the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 free to air in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the organisation, the initiative forms part of the Para Sport Against Stigma project between the IPC, Loughborough University, and the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, which aims to support social change and overcome stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities in Africa. 

Para Sport Against Stigma is part of AT2030, a programme funded by UK Aid and led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub). 

The 2020 broadcast will be funded by the IPC and UK Aid, while the IPC says it hopes the initiative will be a catalyst for commercial partners becoming involved in broadcasting Paris 2024 to Sub-Saharan Africa.

IPC is to provide free-to-air coverage of the #Tokyo2020 Paralympic Games in Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the Para Sport Against Stigma project to raise awareness of Para sport and its athletes in the region.

https://t.co/QbBU4EWlhu @lborouniversity #ChangeStartsWithSport pic.twitter.com/lLvTeYkBHT

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) December 2, 2020

Vicki Austin, CEO, GDI Hub, and former Head of London 2012 Paralympic Legacy for the Mayor of London, said: “As Head of Paralympic Legacy in London, I saw first-hand what a massive difference London 2012 made to perceptions of disability. It is why we set up GDI Hub.

“And with more than a billion people in the world needing access to basic assistive technology – and only 10% currently using AT (assistive technology) – our amazing Para athletes can do so much to overcome the stigma and promote a positive association for the first time for many young women and men with disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project will change lives, and we are delighted to partner with IPC and Loughborough on this important work and thank UK Aid for their backing.”