Ade Adepitan remembers a childhood marked by a sudden illness, polio stealing the use of his leg and reshaping his world. This personal challenge ignited a lifelong commitment to dismantling the barriers faced by disabled individuals, a fight he continues to wage with unwavering passion.
He speaks with a quiet urgency about a pervasive societal neglect, a shocking reality where immense talent is lost simply because opportunities are denied. It’s a loss not just for individuals, but for the entire fabric of society, stifling progress and innovation.
Adepitan challenges those without disabilities to truly understand the daily struggles. He asks a simple, yet profound question: spend just one week navigating the world in a wheelchair, or blindfolded, and then reflect on the experience. He believes the resulting perspective would be transformative.
He recently spoke with a doctor who lost his sight, a professional forced to walk with his children on a busy road because parked cars blocked the sidewalks. This wasn’t merely an inconvenience; it was a dangerous situation, a stark illustration of thoughtlessness putting lives at risk.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Recent data reveals over 90% of disabled people encounter obstacles when using transportation, a figure that hasn’t improved in a decade. They make 38% fewer journeys than their non-disabled counterparts, highlighting a systemic failure to provide equal access.
Adepitan emphasizes that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level, within communities. He advocates for inclusive leadership, recognizing disabled individuals as resourceful problem-solvers with invaluable insights.
His own journey began in Nigeria, moving to East London with his mother at the age of three to join his father. He discovered wheelchair basketball, a sport that propelled him onto the international stage, culminating in Paralympic gold and an MBE.
This success opened doors to a broadcasting career, becoming a prominent face of Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage. Yet, he acknowledges his own privilege, recognizing that many disabled individuals lack the resources and support he received.
He points to a critical gap in schools, where opportunities for disabled students to engage in sports remain limited. For many, simply participating in leisure activities is a luxury, dependent on financial, physical, and emotional security – a foundation often missing.
The disparity is reflected in activity levels, with disabled people almost twice as likely to be physically inactive. This isn’t a matter of choice, but a consequence of systemic barriers and a lack of accessible pathways.
Adepitan is honored to host the 2026 Scope Awards, a platform to celebrate the achievements of disabled individuals. He believes these stories are vital, not just for the disabled community, but for everyone, fostering understanding and inspiring change.
He stresses the importance of sharing these narratives with a wider audience, believing that hearing these stories is crucial to breaking down prejudices and building a more inclusive society for all.
