Maria Zedda, Wideaware’s Managing Director, Chair of the London 2012 Community Engagement Team, delivered an important speech at the launch of the Disability Inclusion Pin Badge Launch at London 2012’s headquarters on the occasion of the launch of Diversity Week.
The Inclusion pin badge for London 2012.
LOCOG engaged with the Deaf and Disability engagement groups in order to create one badge to celebrate disability. The LOCOG licensing team worked with the leads of both groups and their members in the determination process (this was the first time both groups have come together since their inception). Both groups worked hard sharing several ideas, thoughts, passions and concerns on symbols to use and signs to omit. LOCOG have been keen to allow the advocates to determine the process and own the design.
Maria Zedda, chair of the Disability group said “We are an incredibly diverse group, with very different ideas of disability representation and what disability is. This is because we come at it with different personal, political and cultural perspectives. But across all barriers, all divisions, differences, we had one thing in common between all of us: whether we are disabled or Disabled, Deaf or deaf, young, old, male or female: we all want inclusion.”
What the final design represents.
“The sun is the central theme of this pin badge by the light that can be see and warmth that can be felt – the sun can be a source of enjoyment for all. This pin badge carriers the message that disabled people should have equal opportunities in sport – whether competing or watching. The London 2012 Games will be an exciting and enjoyable experience for all”.