#WeThe15 – Ideas in ALL

Social Structures

Author: Dr. Emma M. Smith, Postdoctoral Researcher, AT2030, ALL Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University

Montgenèvre, France A freeride sit skier and local legend rides down a powder field off-piste in Montgenèvre. Photo by Go Montgenevre on Unsplash — Photo by Go Montgenevre on Unsplash

This week, like many of our colleagues who work in the areas of disability and inclusion, we are anticipating the start of the Paralympic Games. Aligned with this, we are also celebrating the launch of #WeThe15, a global campaign to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities through engagement in sport. Participation in culture, including sport, is enshrined in Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We also have research which supports the concept that sports promote health and wellbeing through social inclusion, access to the community, and opportunities for physical activity.

Social Lives

Authors: Dr. Emma Smith, Postdoctoral Researcher, AT2030, ALL Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University and Ana Geppert, Masters student of Global Health at VU Amsterdam, intern with the ALL Institute at Maynooth University, in partnership with Loughborough University.

Photo by Audi Nissen on Unsplash: ESPN WIde World of Sports Complex, United States Womens wheelchair basketball — Photo by Audi Nissen on Unsplash

In celebration of the launch of the #WeThe15 campaign; the largest ever global human rights campaign to increase awareness and social inclusion of people with disabilities through sport, we would like to share some of our recent research in the area. #WeThe15 is an acknowledgement that at least 15% of the world population – over 1 billion people – live with one or more disabilities, each of whom is entitled to all of the rights and freedoms, and the benefits of social inclusion experienced by people without disabilities worldwide. Of those rights affirmed in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure, and sport (Article 30) is one that we have had a recent focus on in our work.

Share this:

Share this: