The IPC and the International Disability Alliance to sign Co-operation Agreement

As part of the agreement, the two organisations will work together to develop and implement mutually beneficial strategic inclusive communications campaigns. The two organisations also hope to collaborate on major events such as the IPC Inclusion Summit and Global Disability Summit, and to explore areas of shared interest around strategy, policy development, research and communication.

The two organisations will also seek to foster greater co-operation at their respective Governance levels, for instance in their collaboration at Board and management team levels, primarily for the purpose of advancing the rights of persons with disabilities globally.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “This is an extremely important and strategic agreement between the IPC and IDA. The IPC is first and foremost a sport organisation, we also wish to change the world. Collaborating with an organisation like IDA, an absolute leader in global disability rights, will help us do just that.

“We want to work closely with like-minded organisations who share our passion to challenge the stigma attached to disability, empower social transformation and drive the human rights agenda to make for a more inclusive society for all. IDA ticks all three boxes.

“With IDA, we will collaborate on a range of initiatives that will extend the impact of the Paralympic Movement beyond sporting events. We will work together to advance the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals and empower the lives of the world’s one billion persons with disabilities.

“Ahead of Tokyo 2020 we are looking to launch our biggest global communications campaign to date and aim to partner with several global organisations such as IDA to maximise the impact and reach. This is a very exciting partnership for us.”

Ana Lucia Arellano, IDA Chair said: “The International Disability Alliance is excited to be partnering with the IPC in this historic move for the disability rights movement to make our collective more complete and more inclusive. This partnership also represents IDA commitments to promote Para sports and a recognition of sports as a universal language. The IPC is an important organisation for empowering social transformation towards an inclusive world and at IDA, we continually strive to ensure that all persons with disabilities are included in all aspects of society, and in all parts of the world. We are so excited to be part of a movement that does not accept any barriers to participation in sports, and one that creates equal opportunities for all.

“Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities relates to participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. At IDA, we recognise the facets of diversity that enable equal participation, including the right of persons with disabilities to take part on an equal basis with others in cultural life. We’re pleased that there is recognition of our rights to participate in sport and are committed to working closely with the IPC to realise this for all groups from all regions of the world and to reach as many people as possible.”

Founded in 1999, IDA is an alliance of networks bringing together over 1,100 organisations of persons with disabilities and their families from across eight global and six regional networks and in over 180 countries. IDA’s vision is a society which values diversity, respects equality and realises the full potential of persons with disabilities in order to build a better world for all. Its mission is to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities as a united voice of organisations of persons with disabilities utilising the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments.

The IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement and boasts more than 200 member organisations made up of National Paralympic Committees, International Federations, Regional Organisations and International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled. Founded in September 1989, the IPC’s vision is to make for a more inclusive world through Para sport, while its mission is to lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the Paralympic Games and support members to enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence.

About the International Disability Alliance (IDA)

IDA is an Alliance of 14 global and regional organisations of persons with disabilities. IDA advocates at the United Nations for a more inclusive global environment for everyone. IDA promotes the rights of persons with disabilities across the United Nations’ efforts to advance human rights and sustainable development. IDA supports organisations of persons with disabilities to hold their governments to account and advocate for change locally, nationally and internationally. For media, contact Talin Avades, tavades@ida-secretariat.org. For more information, visit: https://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org.