The CEO of ParalympicsGB, Dave Clarke, believes that progress for disabled individuals in British society has come to a halt. In an effort to bring about change, Clarke aims to take a more activist approach within his organization. While striving for the same success as the Tokyo Paralympic Games in Paris next year, Clarke acknowledges that it would be disingenuous not to use the platform to drive change beyond the field of play. He emphasizes the need for inclusion in areas such as education, employment, health, socializing, and sports, stating that empathy is not enough. Clarke, a former Paralympic athlete himself, mentions that advocacy should not overshadow high performance in para sport, but calls for government and business to prioritize the needs of approximately 20% of the population. Clarke urges collaborative efforts and a forgiving approach towards the lack of knowledge surrounding the issues affecting disabled individuals. He highlights the closure of station ticket offices by train companies as an example of the disregard for disabled individuals’ needs, even affecting privileged para athletes. Additionally, Clarke expresses concern over research from the disability campaign group Activity Alliance, which indicates that only 25% of disabled children regularly participate in school sports. He views this as a problem due to its impact on physical and mental health, as well as talent development. ParalympicsGB has taken action through their Every Body Moves campaign, but Clarke acknowledges the need for further initiatives. Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Clarke remains optimistic about the prospects of the ParalympicsGB team, but cautions that medal targets should not be emphasized. He acknowledges the increasing competitiveness in the Paralympic Games and believes that performances in Paris will surpass anything seen before. Despite the success of London 2012, Clarke emphasizes the need for continued progress and improvement.
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