#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
#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.
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.
We are also hosting a public event livestreamed on LinkedIn #IDPD 2021 Innovation in Disability Inclusion supporting economic growth post covid. Incorporating the ICT 4 Inclusion Challenge – 2021 Awards Ceremony. Atos and GIZ, two partners of the Make-IT Alliance, have joined forces in this process, delivering the ICT 4 Inclusion Challenge to source and support the best digital solutions to improve access to education for persons with disabilities in Africa. Tune in to find out which teams and ideas were selected and to hear updates about our group accessibility program and our employee network
Neil Milliken, Global Head of Accessibility and Digital Inclusion at Atos, is chairing a webinar with Caroline Casey Founder of the Valuable 500 and Melisande Schifter Project Lead, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice The New Economy and Society Platform – World Economic Forum.
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 2021
As we once again celebrate International Day of Persons With Disabilities this December 3rd it feels like a good time to reflect on what’s been happening at Atos in terms of disability inclusion and accessibility in the 12 months since the last #PurpleLightUp.
Event
Innovation in Disability Inclusion
On Friday 3rd of December Atos will host its Innovation in Disability Inclusion event to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (#IDPWD), a United Nations-sanctioned annual day celebrating people with disabilities. The 2021 theme is ‘Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era’.