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  • Mark Smith is sitting down. He has a hearing aid and is wearing a black t-shirt with a blue over shirt. Cover Image

    Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art: London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the powerful legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 3, 2024

    London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art look at what made the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012 so special , and how it changed people's perspective of Deaf and disabled people especially in sport and art.

  • Mark Smith during interview Cover Image

    Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art: London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the powerful legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony

    Global Disability Innovation Hub
    Sept. 3, 2024

    London 2012 – Choreographer Mark Smith reflects on his experience of the legacy of a Paralympic Opening Ceremony Changing perspective of Deaf and disabled people in sport and art look at what made the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012 so special , and how it changed people's perspective of Deaf and disabled people especially in sport and art.

  • A graphic of the proposed 12 step disability inclusion model. Cover Image

    “This Is the Story of Community Leadership with Political Backing. (PM1)” Critical Junctures in Paralympic Legacy: Framing the London 2012 Disability Inclusion Model for New Global Challenges

    Catherine Holloway, Vicki Austin, Kate Mattick
    Aug. 13, 2021
    Academic Research Publications

    This paper presents new primary evidence from first-hand research from those who were involved; retrospectively framing the London 2012 Disability Inclusion Model such that it might be usable and developed for other global disability challenges. The model is presented here, alongside a narrative on its uniqueness and replicability to other major programs, as a public good. We welcome its active use, testing and adaption by others in service of disability innovation for a fairer world.

  • Man prosthetic leg in an urban environment Cover Image

    UCL Grand Challenges: A Catalyst to GDI Hub's Global Impact

    Global Disability Innovation Hub, UCL
    Jan. 14, 2025
    London

    In 2016, the UCL Grand Challenge awarded the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) an initial grant of £10,000. With this, we set out to address some of the most pressing challenges facing people with disabilities worldwide. Find out more.

  • Ben Hardman smiling at the camera at The British Embassy in France. He is wearing sunglasses and a suit. Cover Image

    Paris Paralympics - A reflection of performance on and off the field, by Ben Hardman GDI Hub Head of Innovation

    Ben Hardman
    Sept. 3, 2024
    France

    The London Games felt very special, I could sense a pivot in the way that Paralympic sport and disability more generally, was being presented to me.  The London Paralympics had attitude, it was edgy, humorous, honest, ballsey, super-human - this drew me in to a culture that I hadn’t really engaged with before, and I loved it.   As a designer and engineer I was blow away by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which oozes human-centred design, and made the experience for everyone at the games equally brilliant.  Looking back, I can now appreciate that what I’d experienced was an event and a place where inclusion had been baked-in from the very beginning and not as an after-thought or tick box.