The International Day of Disabled People (IDDP) occurs annually on December 3rd has become a global platform to advocate for the rights, inclusion, and recognition of people with disabilities.
Established by the UN in 1992, this day encourages active participation in social, economic, political, and cultural spheres for people with disabilities.
Initiatives like Purple Sock Day in the UK amplify this message, inviting people to show their support by purchasing and proudly wearing purple socks, the colour symbolising disability and inclusion.
Purple Sock Day is led by Parallel Lifestyle, a social enterprise founded by Claudia and Andrew Douglass. This event encourages widespread support and visibility for the disability community. The profits from the purple socks—50% of which go to the Purple Sock Fund—are reinvested into supporting disabled entrepreneurs and start-up businesses through Hatch Enterprise, a charity that equips underrepresented founders with essential skills and resources. This initiative not only raises awareness but also has a direct, positive impact by empowering disabled individuals to succeed in business.
Purple is the colour associated with disability.
The BAM Socks are made by the British fashion brand BAM, who are pioneers in natural and purposeful activewear. Soft, sustainable, & ethically sourced bamboo clothing run by people who care passionately about our environment.
The London Irish Community Foundation involved Parallel Lifestyle in their event in 2022, starting at the Brentford Leisure Centre and finishing at the Brentford Community Stadium where they created involvement for the participants as a guard of honour (pitch side) for the London Irish RFC players who played a Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons. The London Irish players “Wore Purple Socks” as part of their playing kit in support of the IDPD event.
The following year Friday 1st of December 2023, The London Irish Community Foundation hosted its Annual Inclusion Festival in celebration of the International Day of Persons Disability at Braywick Leisure Centre, in Maidenhead. Unfortunately, the rugby involvement could not be repeated due to the fact that the professional rugby club went into administration in June 2023.
Participants from attending schools and clubs met at Braywick Leisure Centre for a day full of inclusive, sporting fun. The attendees were exposed to a variety of inclusive sports as well as adapted games such as Rugby Netball, Walking Football, Boccia, Inflatables, Target Games, Cornhole, Disk Throwing, New Age Bowls, Quoits, and New Age Kurling.
The event aimed to bridge the gap between sport and those with disabilities, emphasising and ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment dominated by “fun”.
A driving factor as to why The London Irish Foundation hosts such a special event is upkeeping with the themes of the International Day of Persons Disabilities. The celebration of all people.
The aim is to recognise and value the diversity of our community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities, proving that “sport has no boundaries”. The Foundation and Pump Technology Ltd celebrated with our community welcoming just under a hundred people with ranging disabilities taking part in inclusive sports.
This year's event is being held on Tuesday 3rd of December 2024 at the Braywick Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, the morning session has had to be closed, with 120 participants due to attend. The afternoon session will see approximately a further 80 participants attend, which means the event has more than doubled since its creation in 2022.
Rhys Mynott, Inclusion Lead for this event, said, “To see such huge smiles on so many faces throughout the leisure centre, epitomises the passion and enjoyment from so many”.
Andy Keast, Chief Executive of the Foundation said, “This year’s Inclusion Festival will see close to 200 participants attend the day at Braywick Leisure Centre. Our sincere thanks to Pump Technology Ltd for their continued support in an area of inclusion and diversity we both align with”.
