Speaking at a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) conference in New Delhi, Sir Philip highlighted the importance of communication and technology in immersing people in Para-sport.

This, he claims, will help further educate people on Para-sport and encourage the world to get involved.

"The easiest way to get people engaged in Para-sport is for them to see it and let them be part of it," said Sir Philip.

"Once they are engaged they very rarely disengage.

"Through technology, there are no longer any barriers to accessing Para-sport.

"No matter where you are in the world or whatever you are doing, you can access Para-sport 24-seven via a multitude of devices.

"Even if your country does not broadcast Para-sport, you can access it online and digest it when you want.

"This would never have been possible without technological developments."

IPC President Sir Philip Craven spoke at a UNESCO conference entitled "From Exclusion to Empowerment" - The Role of Information and Communication Technologies for Persons with Disabilities ©UNESCO



Sir Philip was the keynote speaker at a conference entitled "From Exclusion to Empowerment" - The Role of Information and Communication Technologies for Persons with Disabilities.

The conference is being attended by around 500 international, regional and national participants.

The IPC President spoke at length about the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which reached a cumulative global televisin audience of 3.8 billion and generated over 10 million video views on YouTube, and how it has played such a fundamental role in changing people's perception of Para-sport.

He also highlighted the IPC's partnership with the International Telecommunications Union which is hoped to increase the reach of Para-sport in the future, and how the organisation is leading the way in technological advances to make TV viewing more accessible to all.

"In October, the IPC agreed a worldwide partnership with Panasonic and what I really like about them is that they realise accessibility is for all, not just people with an impairment," he said.

"They have developed televisions that feature a read-aloud function and are voice operable.

"Such measures improve the viewing experience for sighted viewers, elderly viewers and visually impaired viewers around the world.

"Likewise, ahead of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, Samsung launched an app featuring an interactive accessibility map which lists more than 13,000 barrier free facilities in over 500 Russian towns.

"Projects like this are key for us, because once people are engaged in Para-sport, it's vital to let them know where they can get involved and participate themselves."

The major objective of the UNESCO conference is to promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people with an impairment and to encourage all stakeholders to take concrete measures for the empowerment of this group of people through the effective application of ICTs.

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