WeThe15 podcast launched to highlight issues of representation
The nine-part ‘WeThe15: Access All Areas’ podcast features key actors in the disability rights space and highlights the issues of lack of representation, engaging with decision-makers and DEI leaders presenting suitable solutions 01 Jul 2024
To coincide with July’s Disability Pride Month, the WeThe15 campaign launched a new nine-part podcast series on 1 July to highlight issues of representation for persons with disabilities across various sectors and industries.
The ‘WeThe15: Access All Areas’ podcast features key actors in the disability rights space and highlights the issues of lack of representation, engaging with decision-makers and DEI leaders presenting suitable solutions. It celebrates people with disabilities, their identities, culture, and contributions to society. It also seeks to change the way people think about and define disability, end stigma, and promote the belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity while also raising awareness of the challenges still faced today.
For the next nine weeks from 1 July, one new podcast episode will be released each week in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Episodes will be available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcast as well as the IPC’s YouTube channel.
Hosted by British broadcaster and producer Andy Stevenson, each episode features two guests in a discussion format. Episode themes include advertising and media, government and politics, entertainment and education among others.
In the first episode, former Director of Brand, Marketing and Culture for the London 2012 Games and Rising Phoenix film producer, Greg Nugent, and Chief Strategy Officer at adam&eve DDB, Martin Beverley, discuss representation of persons with disabilities in advertising and media, the current portal of disability in front of and behind the screen, its natural integration, and steps that can be taken to improve the status quo.
According to Beverly: “I'm not sure the [advertising] industry does a good enough job of talking about the fact that it makes the work better when you have a more diverse crew. I've seen lots of clients, when they feature diversity in their advertising, it creates more affinity, it creates more likeability for that brand and that's good for business.”
While Nugent highlighted: “It [diversity] is essential in films, in advertising, and in the whole creative sphere. I think this sector could do more than any because you can change the laws but it doesn't mean things will change. What we can do is change attitudes.”
Upcoming episodes will feature Canadian Minister of Sport and Paralympian, Carla Qualtrough; Member European Parliament, David Lega; Co-founder of talent acquisition agency for disabled persons, Making Space, Keely Cat-Wells; Microsoft Head of Inclusive Design Accessibility and Inclusion, Christina Mallon; Global Head of Inclusive Design at Wunderman Thompson, Dr Josh Loebner; Paralympian and advocate, Tatyana McFadden; IPC President Andrew Parsons and Global DEI Accessibility Adviser at Sanofi, Iulia Brehuescu and many others.
Subscribe and listen to the series here.
WeThe15 Podcast | Ep.1: How To Improve Representation Of Persons With Disabilities In Ads and Media?
About WeThe15
Launched on 19 August 2021 ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, WeThe15 is the biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination of persons with disabilities which make up approximately 15 per cent of the global population. Spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Disability Alliance (IDA) it is the largest coalition of international organisations from the world of sport, human rights, policy, communications, business, arts and entertainment.
