International Paralympic Committee launches 'Impact Strategy'

The initiative was set up to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs) globally through Paralympic sport; and it also publishes an 'Impact Information Catalogue', not only for its more than 210 member organisations but also for society as a whole.

The IPC's 'Impact Strategy' focuses on four interconnected areas that address the inequalities faced by the world's 1.3 billion people with disabilities (more than 15% of the global population).

International Paralympic Committee launches 'Impact Strategy'

Paralympic Sport for Development aims to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport and physical activity at all levels and in all contexts.

The legacy of the Paralympic Games is set to deliver a transformative Games, becoming a global platform for sporting excellence, eliminating stigma and promoting inclusion of PWDs, with the hope of leaving a lasting legacy in the host city and beyond.

Global Partnerships and Advocacy aims to develop strategic partnerships to strengthen global advocacy for inclusion, drive policy change and encourage investment in Paralympic sport.

In terms of the evidence base, the strategy focuses on improving data collection, analysis and research on Paralympic sport and physical activity. The IPC’s ‘Impact Strategy’ is expected to mark a significant moment in the organisation’s development, reaffirming the IPC’s role as a world leader in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities.

"From the Paralympic Games to our sports development programmes, our activities have a huge impact. They break down stigma, empower individuals and build inclusive communities," said Kristina Molloy, Deputy CEO of the International Paralympic Committee.

Kristina Molloy highlighted the IPC’s role in driving social change and the need to implement an Impact Strategy. “By better measuring and demonstrating the impact of IPC activities, we can further support our members and athletes. By partnering with like-minded organizations, the IPC will advocate and work towards drawing global attention to the systemic changes needed for the inclusion of people with disabilities.”

At the launch of the initiative, Dr. Mike Peters, CEO of the International Paralympic Committee, supported Kristina Molloy's sentiments. "The IPC is, first and foremost, a sports organization; Paralympic sport is what we do. At the same time, our work in Paralympic sport is based on a social movement for the rights of people with disabilities. This social movement requires all of us to participate and contribute, not only because we recognize the power that diversity brings, but also because we know that we can only achieve our goals by living in a just world."

The 'Active Strategy' will bring members and stakeholders together around this common purpose, and over time it will demonstrate the power of Paralympic sport to transform communities, nations and societies.

Meanwhile, the IPC's 'Impact Information Catalogue' highlights the efforts of its members and organisations in this area, and can be used as a reference. Thanks to contributions from its members, the document brings together a range of disability-related data, research, case studies and best practices, with a particular focus on the social legacy of the Paralympic Games.

After the Paris 2024 Olympics ended, the official website paralympic.org released a report conducted by Nielsen Sports on behalf of the International Paralympic Committee, assessing the impact of the Paralympic Games on public perceptions of people with disabilities. More than 15,000 people in 11 countries were surveyed before and after the event.

The results showed that 73% of respondents felt that the Olympics had a positive impact on their attitudes towards people with disabilities. In addition, 80% said they felt more positive about the abilities of people with disabilities, and 79% said the Olympics had motivated them to support greater inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of society. These findings highlight the significant impact of the Olympics in improving social awareness and promoting greater inclusion.

The transformative power of sport was also evident in the Paralympic Games. For example, all Tokyo 2020 subway stations were adapted to be accessible to people with disabilities. Media coverage and increased public interest in sport for people with disabilities has prompted governments to introduce policies that promote inclusion and accessibility in many different areas of society.

Research by the Boston Consulting Group (2024) shows that approximately 97% of elite Paralympic athletes are employed, significantly higher than the average for PWDs in many countries. This illustrates the enormous potential of the IPC Impact Strategy to create a positive impact on global society.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/uy-ban-paralympic-quoc-te-ra-mat-chien-luoc-tac-dong-20250930162036993.htm