ATscale CEO Pascal Bijleveld reflects on how the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will help raise awareness and access to assistive technology.
Over the past few weeks, millions of people have been glued to their screens watching athletes from all over the world grace the Olympic Games. When the torch was handed over to the Para athletes at the Closing Ceremony, it shone a powerful spotlight on para sport.
Nearly 1.5 million tickets have been purchased for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with 400,000 sold during the Olympics alone. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has declared the stage is set for the most “spectacular” Games ever, with a record number of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) expected to compete in more than 22 sports and vie for 549 medals.
How Assistive Technology Contributes to the Paralympic Games
Assistive technology is at the heart of the Paralympic Games, and Paris 2024 will be no exception. Assistive technology is an umbrella term that describes products, services and systems that support people with disabilities and others. In the context of Paralympic competition, assistive technology encompasses a wide range of technology used by athletes, from “low tech” to sophisticated equipment.
One of the most enduring images of the Paralympics is the running blades worn by athletes who have lost limbs, but technology is undergoing major changes. Until recently, athletes competed at international level using their regular prosthetic legs. In recent years, however, prosthetic legs have been developed that are specifically designed to enhance athletic performance. Impact-resistant and lightweight carbon fiber is now the preferred material for running blades and is a common sight on the track.
Wheelchairs also feature heavily at the Paralympics, with wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis all featured. For each sport, wheelchairs are adapted to suit the needs of the athlete and the demands of the sport. Rugby wheelchairs are usually made from aluminium and are built to withstand impacts, while the three-wheeled wheelchairs often used in racing are designed to be more streamlined.
We also find that assistive technology differs depending on the class of athlete. In wheelchair basketball, “low point” athletes with poor lower body function often require a higher bucket seat than “high point” athletes with better physical function.
If you're noting the range of assistive technology on the field, you shouldn't be surprised to see an array of assistive products in the stands as well. Audio commentary for select sports is available on the official game app for those with visual impairments. New for Paris 2024, low-vision helmets are now available too, a groundbreaking innovation that gives viewers a magnified view of the action. Subtitles and sign language tools are available for those with hearing impairments, and touch-responsive tablets allow spectators to experience the sensations of the game through a vibration system. All of this is designed to improve the viewing experience for those with disabilities. These are the kinds of digital technologies that could potentially benefit sports fans around the world, and we hope to see them rolled out more widely in the future.
Paris' approach to the Games is commendable; both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are operating under a “Games Wide Open” philosophy to ensure proper accessibility for fans. An estimated 350,000 visitors with disabilities are expected to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, with a staggering 25,000 tickets for Paralympic events being sold each day. This is a timely reminder of the need for equitable accessibility not only for athletes, but also for spectators in the stands at current and future sporting events.
It's also encouraging that Paris has simultaneously improved accessibility and inclusion across the capital. The city has invested more than £125 million in a range of projects, including adding more acoustic modules at road junctions to make it easier for visually impaired people to navigate the city. Enhanced accessibility neighbourhoods and accessible transport options are also benefiting residents and visitors alike this summer.
It's important to remember that this is just the beginning – it's paramount that we maintain these efforts and raise funds to make accessible living a priority even after the Paralympic Games are over.
Improving equity in access to assistive technology beyond the Olympics
As part of my work at ATscale, I am proud to have launched the Unlock the Everyday campaign in January to raise awareness of the urgent need to increase access to assistive technology, especially in low-income countries where only 10% of people have access to what they need.
As we watch the Paralympics over the coming weeks, it's important to remember that access to the advanced assistive products used by athletes remains far from equal. Lack of access to assistive technology is clearly linked to poorer performance, fewer medals and fewer international representation for athletes from low- and middle-income countries.
However, we need to recognise that access to advanced assistive products is not the only barrier to competition. In low- and middle-income countries, the provision of advanced wheelchairs and prosthetics must go hand in hand with training, funding, and the maintenance and improvement of a country's sports infrastructure.
Now we must use the Olympic momentum to ensure everyone has access to sport, no matter where they live. Private and public sector actors must step up to provide access to assistive technology, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the need is greatest.
The Paralympics provide a platform to bring the issue of equitable access to assistive technology to the forefront. Paris 2024 is committed to building a legacy beyond the Games, and the record number of National Paralympic Committees competing in the Games speaks to progress.
“As we enjoy the incredible feats and incredible talent on display, we must use this opportunity to raise awareness of assistive technology all year round. Inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic spirit, it is essential that governments, policymakers and the private sector work together to close the access gap to assistive technology and build a future in which everyone, everywhere can achieve their potential.”
Image: © UNICEF UN0445941 Karimi
