KUALA LUMPUR: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), is strengthening its commitment to disability inclusion through #WeThe15: Inclusive Together, an initiative to champion equal opportunities, celebrate abilities and encourage greater participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in society.
The initiative aligns with Sahabat Istimewa IWK, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative under IWK Cares that seeks to empower the PWD community, promote inclusivity and create meaningful opportunities for engagement and participation.
Through this collaboration, IWK and PCM aim to raise public awareness of disability inclusion, challenge stereotypes and highlight the talents, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment to building a society where everyone is recognised, respected and given equal opportunities to participate and thrive.
“Through Sahabat Istimewa IWK and our collaboration with PCM, we hope to create greater awareness and encourage more meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in society,” said IWK’s chief executive officer Datuk Narendran Maniam.
“Inclusion goes beyond awareness; it is about ensuring that everyone is recognised, valued and given the opportunity to contribute and thrive.”
As Malaysia looks towards the Asean Para Games 2027, the collaboration also seeks to build greater public interest in Para sports, celebrate the achievements of Para athletes and encourage communities to play a more active role in advancing inclusion and accessibility.
“Sports provide a powerful platform to showcase the abilities and achievements of persons with disabilities (PWDs). As we move towards the Asean Para Games Kuala Lumpur 2027, #WeThe15: Inclusive Together helps to raise public awareness and foster a more inclusive society, “ said PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin.
“We commend IWK for stepping forward to support this initiative, demonstrating the important role of corporate responsibility in promoting disability inclusion and creating greater opportunities for PWDs.”
IWK and PCM formalised this promotional collaboration through the signing of a non-binding Collaboration for Promotion of the WeThe15 Campaign. It marks a step towards strengthening joint efforts to advance disability inclusion and build public support for Para sports.
The event also featured adaptive sports demonstrations and community engagement activities, which brought stakeholders and the wider community together to experience the value of inclusion through sports and shared participation.
WeThe15 is a global movement representing the estimated 15% of the world's population living with disabilities. It seeks to address discrimination, break down barriers and advocate for equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Through #WeThe15: Inclusive Together, IWK and PCM seek to bring this global message closer to the Malaysian community by encouraging greater understanding, acceptance and meaningful participation in everyday life.
