According to renowned speaker and disability rights expert Dr. Victor Pineda, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be the most accessible tournament in the history of the sport, which could be a significant legacy of the event. Pineda was speaking to an audience on Monday at a QF Education City Speaker Series event.
The president and founder of the Pineda Foundation and World Enabled said at the event on Monday at the Qatar National Library, “I hope that the momentum generated around accessibility will live on beyond the World Cup and that all the work done on accessibility will be disseminated to every school, to every place of employment, and to every public space, so persons with disabilities can continue to benefit from it.”
Dr Victor Pineda highlights the need for accessibility.
Have fun reviewing movies and drinks
In conversation with Luisa Baldini, a former BBC correspondent, Dr Pineda spoke on the topic ‘Recognising a Right: Why We Need to Build an Accessible World.’ The talk, organised in collaboration with the World Innovation Summit for Health, QF’s global healthcare initiative, explored the challenges that people with disabilities continue to face, how they can be overcome, and why shaping a truly accessible world is everyone’s responsibility.
“If people are still just thinking of elevators and ramps when they hear accessibility, then they are missing the entire conversation. We’re talking about innovation, transformation, and building a future where all people can express their full potential,” said, Dr Pineda.
A frequent visitor to Qatar, Dr Pineda noted that he has seen the country drastically change as it has prepared to host the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He highlighted the need for increased advocacy, saying: “Advocacy isn’t just a destination, it’s a way of thinking and opening the door for discussion and debate, recognising the dreams, hopes, frustrations, and barriers of persons with disabilities.
“We can’t stop there, we need to go beyond just inspiring people to advocate for change, but also equipping them with the appropriate tools and expertise to bring about change.”
According to Dr Pineda, the only way to succeed in creating truly accessible and inclusive spaces is to have an integrated cross-sectoral approach to identifying and eliminating barriers and looking at those barriers in a holistic way. “Think beyond ramps and look at innovation – think about tech and digital accessibility – which is a disruptive force to unlocking new capabilities in the public, private, and education sector.”
He highlighted that by being digitally accessible, organisations can future proof their digital infrastructure. “If we do it right, technology can unlock potential and elevate the voices and aspirations of those that are most marginalised.”
Dr Pineda also stressed the need to involve more people with disabilities in the innovation sphere. “Persons with disabilities make up 15% of the global population, but less than 1% of venture capital investments go to founders of enterprises that are people with disabilities. There is a huge investment gap when it comes to innovation for and by persons with disabilities.”
Dr Pineda appealed the organisations and policymakers to approach the topic of accessibility and inclusion from a place of curiosity and openness. “Understand how this fits into your existing plans.
Don’t think about it just for diversity and inclusion, think about it as innovation and transformation, and an exciting way to unlock potential within your organisation.”
He called on organisations, particularly HR departments, to actively create a barrier free environment for people with disabilities and to bring in trusted partners to help develop a bigger narrative, not just about specialised services, but about what it means to have an inclusive workplace. “The way an organisation hires directly indicates what it values, so make sure to build accessibility into it,” he noted.
He remarked on inclusivity and accessibility in education and the crucial part that teachers play in it, urging them to enter the situation with humility.
“Trust your parents. Give the kid his due. Regarding disabilities, they are not lying. Be willing to consider altering the curriculum, making adjustments, and possibly learning something from the children and their parents. “Be open to learning new things,” he continued.
