#WeThe15 is a global movement, which was founded by a coalition of organisations from sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts and entertainment, uniting to change attitudes and create more opportunities for persons with disabilities, as well as improve mobility and accessibility.
The goal of this movement is to end discrimination and transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities so they can be visible and active members of an inclusive society. Launching at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, #WeThe15 plans to initiate change over the next decade by bringing together the biggest coalition ever of international organisations from the world of sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts and entertainment.
At a time when diversity and inclusion are hot topics, the 15% who have a disability want effective change to remove the inequality and inactivity. Like race, gender and sexual orientation, we want to have a movement all persons with disabilities can rally behind. A global movement that is publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion and accessibility.
#WeThe15 will shine a light on 15% of the world’s population. It will build greater knowledge of the barriers and discrimination persons with disabilities face on a daily basis at all levels of society. By doing so we will break down these barriers so all persons with disabilities can fulfil their potential and be active and visible members of an inclusive society.
As an organisation, Rural Lifestyle Options Australia want to play a part in making the #WeThe15 campaign a success, to create a more inclusive world.
Commitments through through this campaign that organisations are encouraged to advocate for include:
Changing the attitudes about disability
People with a disability are the biggest minority population in the world, but they are hugely underrepresented in media and advertising. See people with a disability as an opportunity: it’s a group with huge purchasing power.
Ensure everyone within your organisation understands why inclusivity matters to the business, your brand and society.
Increase the number of people with disabilities in advertising and mainstream media
Create an environment that allows people to be open about their disability and ask for accommodations.
Use your brand/power/influence to support the movement and influence change over time (this is a 10 year campaign, remember).
Increasing mobility and accessibility
Ensure people with disabilities can access and experience your brand physically and digitally.
Ensure advertising campaigns are accessible with captions and audio descriptions.
Make air travel more accessible
Champion inclusive design and carry out access audits to identify physical and information barriers that may exclude persons with disabilities.
Ensure fonts aren’t too small and that there’s a good contrast
Increasing opportunities for people with a disability
Walk the walk: You wouldn’t do business with organisations that exclude women or people of colour, so the same should be true for discrimination against people with disabilities.
Hire people with disabilities and ensure the workforce is
Commit to disability inclusivity within your organisation.
To learn more about how you can get involved with WeThe15, please visit: www.wethe15.org #WeThe15
