WeThe15 explained

Logo Alt:	A pie chart, in purple, with a 15% section,
WeThe15
Purpose:	disability visibility, rights and inclusion
Founded:	2021

1. WeThe15 is a global human rights movement which aims to make persons with disabilities, who make up 15% of the world's population (1.2 billion people), visible. An initiative of the International Paralympic Committee and the International Disability Alliance,^{[1] [2]} it is supported, by a number of organisations from the world of disability sports, disability rights, non-governmental and governmental organisations. It was launched as part of the 2020 Summer Paralympics in 2021.^[3] Landmarks across the world were lit up in purple to coincide with the opening ceremony.^[4] The movement was given particular focus during the closing ceremony.^{[5] [6]}

A TV campaign in August 2021^[7] showcased people with disabilities, not just as "special", or "inspiring", but as normal people—with the same challenges as non-disabled people—who must not be ignored, but included.^[8]

Founding organisations

• Disability sports organizations
  • International Paralympic Committee
  • Special Olympics
  • Deaflympics
  • Invictus Games
• Activist and innovation organizations
  • International Disability Alliance
  • International Disability and Development Consortium
  • Zero Project
  • ATscale
  • CTalent
  • The Valuable 500
• Multinational organizations
  • European Commission
  • UNESCO
  • Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Global Goals Advisory
  • Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign
  • Alliance of Civilizations

Notes and References

1. Web site: The International Paralympic Committee and the International Disability Alliance to sign Co-operation Agreement . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020174836/https://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/ipc-ida . 2020-10-20 . 2021-09-07 . . en . 15 September 2020.
2. Web site: WeThe15: A global human rights movement for the 1.2 billion persons with disabilities. . 19 Aug 2021.
3. Web site: registration . The making of 'We The 15', the 10-year campaign to make disability ordinary. The Drum . Chris . Sutcliffe . August 20, 2021.
4. Web site: #WeThe15 was misguided in using the Tokyo Paralympic Games to launch a disability inclusion revolution . Carla Filomena Duarte da. Silva. P. David. Howe. The Conversation. 2 September 2021 .
5. Web site: Tokyo Paralympics closing ceremony: IPC president says 'Arigato, Tokyo!' as the Games end, as it happened . 5 September 2021. . Andrew . McGarry.
6. News: Parsons claims Paralympic Closing Ceremony marks opening of "inclusive future" . 2021-09-06 . . Geoff . Berkeley . 5 September 2021.
7. Web site: WeThe15 . www.youtube.com . International Paralympic Committee.
8. Web site: 'WeThe15' stresses rights of 1.2 billion with disabilities. August 18, 2021. . Stephen . Wade.