#PurpleLightUp – a global movement for change
#PurpleLightUp’ is a global movement designed to draw attention to the economic empowerment of disabled people. Across business and government alike, it has become synonymous with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) held annually on 3rd December. First launched by the United Nations in 1992, it’s now a globally recognized date. For one day only the world is lighting up purple to celebrate and empower disabled people.
Join the celebration
Atos is turning their website purple for the day and we are holding a number of virtual events across our organisation in several countries to celebrate and discuss diversity and inclusion. Neil Milliken, Global Head of Accessibility and Digital Inclusion at Atos, has written a blog for Purple Light Up below.
#PurpleLightUp started off from a single tweet from PurpleSpace CEO Kate Nash OBE back in 2017 and the best way to get involved is by taking to the social media airwaves and using #PurpleLightUp on and around 3rd December.
Why it matters
Over 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability, that’s 1 in 7. It can affect any of us at any time in our lives. In a growing global movement, over 160 countries have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. But there’s still more to be done. True inclusion comes from a world that accepts all human difference, where people demand their voices to be heard. #PurpleLightUp powered by PurpleSpace, rallies awareness in this global call to action.
Related resources
Blog
Purple Light Up 2020
The world we live and work in has changed significantly due to Covid-19. We have seen a rapid shift to remote working and 2020 will be remembered as the year of videoconferencing fatigue. Many people in the disability community have pointed out that Covid-19 proved what disabled people have been asking for: flexible working is indeed possible and there will be no excuses for a return to old ways of working.
Press release
Atos drives the accessibility agenda by signing Valuable 500 campaign
Atos signed the Valuable 500 campaign signaling its commitment to driving inclusion and accessibility from the board level through the global organization.