ILO promotes world marketing campaign to offer alternatives for disability throughout Covid-19

The International Labor Organization (ILO) will be part of the global Purple Light Up campaign promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These events bring together thought leaders from people with disabilities, CEOs of multinational organizations, politicians, disability rights activists, and network / ERG leaders to connect and promote disability inclusion. The free 24-hour broadcast will begin at sunrise in Oceania and end at sunset in the Americas. The program includes discussions, interviews and best practice sharing across six continents.

“This year, more than ever, we need to highlight and celebrate the contribution people with disabilities are making to our societies,” said Stefan Tromel, Senior Disability Specialist, ILO. “The crisis has highlighted the urgent need to accept disability inclusion as part of a diverse and inclusive society.”

A highlight of the day is a discussion that brings together ILO disability lawyer and Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin. Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, filmmakers of Netflix ‘Crip Camp, a documentary about disability rights; Judy Heumann, world famous disability rights activist, at Crip Camp; and Stefan Tromel from the IAO.

The ILO is partnering with Netflix and PurpleSpace, a network and development center for workers with disabilities, network and resource group leaders, and allies from all sectors and industries, on the Crip Camp documentary event.

“Crip Camp (…) shows how the disability rights movement has played and continues to play a critical role in promoting the necessary changes in laws and policies that lead to the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities worldwide,” said Tromel.

On November 30, the ILO Global Business and Disability Network adopted a formal statement reaffirming the corporate sector’s commitment to disability inclusion. Earlier this year, the ILO published a policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities. She has also highlighted the serious impact the pandemic has had on people with disabilities who work in the informal economy.

Key: ILO, global Purple Light Up campaign, Purple Light Up campaign, opportunities for disabilities, disabled rights