Crip Life™’s Post

Global Disability Inclusion, LLC is currently highlighting some of the companies that are supporting the Paralympic Games. These companies have also created marketing communications campaigns that feature people with disabilities. It’s not surprising that Toyota Motor Corporation is on the list. Toyota has created some exceptional commercials in the past few years, including a memorable 2021 ad that featured U.S. Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long. (I will include some examples of Toyota’s ads in the comments section.) As I learned in the Diversity and Inclusion in IMC course at West Virginia University, marketing communications campaigns that feature people with disabilities are not that common. In fact, in 2021, Nielsen reported that while about a quarter of Americans had a disability, people with disabilities were featured in only about one percent of primetime TV ads at the time. (I will also include a link to this research in the comments section.)  This is something that needs to change. The Nielsen article explains that including people with disabilities in marketing communications campaigns can positively impact the business. However, the article also emphasizes the importance of portraying individuals with disabilities authentically. If you get a chance, you might want to check out some of the other examples that Global Disability Inclusion is sharing this week. Note: I used AI to help write this post. I wrote the first draft and then improved it using ChatGPT and Grammarly.

Recently, the Tamil Nadu Boccia Championship brought together individuals with disabilities to compete, connect, and challenge perceptions. Boccia is a sport designed for individuals with physical disabilities, especially those with severe motor impairments. Players have to throw or roll balls as close as possible to a target ball, known as the "jack." It’s a game of strategy, precision, and skill, and it demonstrates how sports can be adapted to be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical barriers. How does such championships promote inclusivity? → They open doors for participation where there were once none. → They give people a platform to build confidence, test their skills, and feel the power of being part of something bigger. → They highlight that sports can be enjoyed by everyone when designed with accessibility in mind. → They inspire broader conversations on making workplaces, public spaces, and other aspects of life more accessible. → They challenge stereotypes about what people with disabilities can achieve. At Ampera, we believe in supporting initiatives that push boundaries. Accessible sports like Boccia are a reminder that everyone deserves the chance to compete and succeed. These events inspire us to think about the barriers in our own spaces and how we can break them.

What’s is Snowball??…so far it is… ⭐️Winner Best Digital and Tech Award 2023 ⭐️Top 10 Most Influential People 2023 ⭐️Winner Santander X National Award 2023 ⭐️Winner Santander Global Award 2024 ⭐️Winner Leicestershire Innovation Award 2024 ⭐️Finalist British Diversity Award 2024 ⭐️Nominated Business Success Awards 2024 ⭐️Nominated Entrepreneur of Excellence Award, National Diversity Awards 2024. It’s been a cracking 6 months for Snowball. What is Snowball? Snowball Community (known as Snowball) a revolutionary accessibility national and global ward winning app just over a year old and is now the biggest, most used disability app in the world, the app asks disabled people to rate services and businesses by how disability-friendly they are. Users of the app can find a restaurant, tourist attraction, supermarket or coffee shop that is accessible by selecting their location, wherever they are in the world. User can also add place that are not on the Snowball app and leave a review and they have done so by adding tens of thousands of places including changing places and accessible toilet. The best part of the app is that it is supported by Google Maps and if you need to find a place your phone will use Google Maps to guide you there. There is nothing like Snowball on the market. Disabled travelers and locals can add venues they have found welcoming and accessible for people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and sensory issues. The more people that add suggestions the bigger the app grows - like a snowball. Snowball is the brainchild of wheelchair-user and founder Simon Sansome. He says: “The app will give people the confidence to socialise with ease as they will be able to see what facilities and venues are available in their immediate location. They will also be able to plan days out, giving people more freedom to access their communities, explore and travel with confidence.” Simon, 42, a former council worker and rugby player, from Leicester, became paralysed from the waist down following a sudden injury in 2014. After a year of recovery, he took his wife to their favourite local restaurant only to realise there was no wheelchair access. Simon set up the Facebook page Snowball Community to highlight good and bad examples of accessibility. It quickly gained 100,000 followers. Team GB Paralympic gold medalists Hannah Cockroft OBE and Aaron Phipps MBE have welcomed Snowball and are the Brand Ambassadors. It is also producing data that now other business can collect and advise local authorities and governments where infrastructure is needed. Uer of the app can find blue badge bays in different cities, toilets, places to eat and much more. On top of all this Snowball is launching a National disability membership scheme where Snowball Assessors will visit businesses and rate them from 1 to 5 system similar to a food health hygiene certificate but for access. All details can be found here https://lnkd.in/enstw4GC

As Paris gears up to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, accessibility has taken centre stage. Organisers are implementing various initiatives to ensure an inclusive experience for all attendees, especially those with disabilities. Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 International Olympic Committee – IOC #olympics #paris2024 #parisgames #olympicgames #paris2024news #olympicsnews #tickets #menews247 #summerolympics2024 #2024olympics #paralympicgames

Did you know that Snowball has over 83,000 accessible locations and reviews on its app? Snowball, often described as TripAdvisor for the disabled community, is a revolutionary accessibility app that has garnered numerous accolades, including the Best Digital and Tech Award in 2023 and the Santander Global Award in 2024. It is now the largest and most utilized disability app globally, offering users the ability to rate the disability-friendliness of services and businesses. Founded by wheelchair user Simon Sansome, Snowball empowers disabled individuals to find disability-friendly venues worldwide, such as restaurants, tourist attractions, supermarkets, and coffee shops. Users can also contribute by adding new locations and reviews, expanding the app's database with tens of thousands of places, including accessible toilets and changing places. A unique feature is its integration with Google Maps for easy navigation. Snowball's impact goes beyond convenience; it fosters community engagement and inclusivity. With the support of notable figures like Team GB Paralympic gold medalists Hannah Cockroft OBE and Aaron Phipps MBE serving as Brand Ambassadors, Snowball continues to grow and enhance its offerings. The app is set to launch a National disability membership scheme, where Snowball Assessors will rate businesses on accessibility, akin to a health hygiene certificate but for access. For more information and to join the Snowball community, visit snowballassessment.com. Download the app on Apple and Android platforms to experience firsthand the difference it makes in promoting accessibility and independence. #Snowball #Accessibility #Inclusion

Pleased to share an insightful exchange with Ecofoot.fr as we count down the days to the Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 🇫🇷. Indeed #Olympics are over but still #Paralympics at sight and this is the perfect time to emphasize the crucial importance of #disabilitymatters and #accessibility in sports. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝗖𝗦𝗥 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆—𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿. By investing in #accessibility and #inclusion, sports entities can not only enhance the experience for disabled spectators but also enrich the fan community as a whole. At AccessibAll for almost 15 years we aim to make #accessible and #inclusive stadiums 🏟 which isn't just about compliance; it's about creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. It’s time to recognise that accessibility benefits not only the individuals directly impacted but also strengthens social interaction, embodying the very essence of what sport stands for. Here’s to LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel and the International Paralympic Committee Paris Games, and OUR the journey! ♿️ https://lnkd.in/d532AAWq

Enhance your understanding of #DigitalAccessibility by diving into Actual Size's comprehensive guide on the importance of digital equity and inclusion.

Enhance your understanding of #DigitalAccessibility by diving into Actual Size's comprehensive guide on the importance of digital equity and inclusion.

Greetings! The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, running from August 28 to September 8, 2024, have kicked off with a vibrant Opening Ceremony at Place de la Concorde, marking the first time France has hosted the event. This year's Paralympics feature 22 sports with 4,400 athletes, all of which will be broadcast live, a first in Paralympic history. Approximately 5,288 Paris volunteers received disability awareness training, with 260 focusing on accessibility issues. The Games are also emphasizing inclusivity, with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and UNESCO hosting discussions on 27-28 August 2024 about how Para sports can advance the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities, focusing on five key themes: 1. Fostering more inclusive societies through Para sport and physical activity 2. Accessible infrastructure and equipment 3. Holders of cultural rights at the forefront of inclusivity and diversity 4. Inclusive quality physical education and play 5. Breaking down barriers through data-driven sport policies and programs. According to the World Bank, one billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability. These individuals often face worse socioeconomic outcomes, including lower education, poorer health, less employment, and higher poverty. Global awareness of disability-inclusive development is growing, driven by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by 185 countries, which advocates for the full integration of people with disabilities and emphasizes the role of international development in protecting their rights. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reinforces this by asserting that disability should not limit access to development or human rights, with the SDGs framework including seven targets specifically for persons with disabilities and six additional targets for vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities. To highlight the UN Secretary-General's message for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: “The Paralympic Games are anchored in the values of fairness, equality, opportunity, and respect—and demonstrate the immense power of sport to unite people across cultures. The Games also shine a spotlight on the possibilities and potential of more than one billion persons with disabilities worldwide.” In the next post, we would like to introduce the programme’s five key themes mentioned above. for more details: https://lnkd.in/gaWZvvMR https://lnkd.in/g_bnCiQE https://lnkd.in/gzKnkYwX https://lnkd.in/gsHXQJiE

Well Channel 4 has done it again - resetting the bar in #authenticrepresentation and digging into the harmful tropes that keep parasport (and disability in general) from achieving parity with the Olympics. I cannot speak highly enough of the team at Channel 4 and their efforts to mainstream disability in all of their programming. This is an example to follow for any company that is truly invested in disability inclusion - there is no summit of this mountain, no end of the road. No 100% scores and no perfection. Disability inclusion in business is, like any other go-to-market strategy, an exercise in humility and constant progress. Brands such as Channel 4 who are able to recognise the improvements they can make and act upon them - and own that imperfection - should be celebrated. Accountability and transparency cultivate trust and recognition within the #disabilitycommunity. #disabilityinclusion the Valuable 500