In the Spirit of the Games: Celebrating the Paralympics

Evan O’Hanlon, OAM PLY Accessibility Consultant

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Aug 27, 2024


As a proud Paralympian, who also came agonisingly close to an appearance at the Olympics, the time between the Olympics and Paralympics is an interesting time to reflect on where I have been and what I’m doing now. My journey has brought me to Jensen Hughes, a firm that pushes excellence, champions diversity and inclusion, and whose values and principles align closely with the spirit of the Paralympics.

Safety and Accessibility

With the Paralympic Games drawing athletes and spectators from around the world, safety and accessibility are fundamental to its success. Jensen Hughes is also dedicated to making the world safer and more accessible for all, offering services such as Code Consulting, Energy and Sustainability Consulting, Fire Safety Engineering, Fire Testing, Technical Fire Assessment, and Accessibility and Universal Design.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is at the heart of the Paralympic Games. Every athlete competing in the Games brings their unique story, culture and background. Jensen Hughes embraces and celebrates diversity with a commitment to inclusion that extends beyond the organisation. We understand that diverse teams drive innovation and solutions to meet communities’ varied needs.

Innovation

In sports, innovation is essential to driving excellence and improving performance, helping athletes become healthier, stronger and faster. While excellence in any good company is a given, innovation is where the leaders find their strength. Jensen Hughes leverages cutting-edge technology and industry best practices in safety and accessibility solutions to ensure top-tier standards.

Collaboration and Partnerships

An athlete’s performance is a collaborative effort. Even athletes who line up to contest the 100-metre sprint final have a complex network of contributors behind them working to make them better at their sport. Jensen Hughes focuses on collaboration and partnership to build resilient networks that contribute to better outcomes.

I invite you to join us in celebrating the values of safety and accessibility, diversity, innovation and collaboration as we reflect on the achievements of our Olympic athletes and eagerly await the spectacle of the Paralympics. Check out our next installment, where I discuss what’s involved with planning an inclusive and accessible Paralympics.

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About the author

Evan O’Hanlon
Evan is a distinguished access consultant, landscape architect and dual international athlete, competing in both able-bodied and Paralympic sports, with over a decade of experience and is deeply committed to creating inclusive and accessible environments.