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Paralympics provides change potential, says Shaw

Paul Carter

Jonathan ShawThe Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to London in 2012 presents a “huge opportunity” to challenge society’s attitudes and behaviour, the minister for disabled people has told Disability Now.

Jonathan Shaw said that unprecedented television coverage, the involvement of large numbers of disabled volunteers in the delivery of the Games and improvements to existing facilities all had the potential to bring about lasting change.

He said: “This is why we won the Olympics. It wasn’t because we were going to build a fantastic stadium, although we are, it wasn’t because we were going to win lots of gold medals in the Olympics and Paralympics, although we will, it was what it’s going to do for society.”

“It’s a very exciting prospect, and one that’s going to have a really long lasting legacy, and that’s why we’re committed to putting in these building blocks to make sure that we really do have a gold medal that transforms the lives of disabled people. That’s the medal I’m chasing,” he added.

The minister was speaking at the launch of the 2012 Legacy Plan in London, which the government says aims to “bring about lasting changes to the life experiences” of ten million disabled people in the UK.

Paralympics change potential.

Posted by John Hargrave at 01 Apr 10 13:36
If various governments had not pussy footed about for the last 40 years, then it would not be necessary to challenge society's attitudes and behaviour towards those of us with disabilities. There would be no need, prejudice it would not exist.