Hundreds of buildings to light up purple for disability rights in Mirror-backed campaign

The Daily Mirror is supporting the #PurpleLightUp campaign, celebrating 386 million disabled employees across the world today.

More than 330 organisations took part in #PurpleLightUp 2021, attracting over 250 million views on social media.

Some 125 landmarks lit their buildings purple, including Rome’s Colosseum, the London Eye and Empire State Building.

The movement, which is led by development hub PurpleSpace, was launched in 2017 after a tweet from their CEO Kate Nash OBE, encouraging people to use the hashtag on social media.

Organisations also hold events, develop workplace policies and lead conversations about disability inclusion.

This year’s #PurpleLightUp, held on December 3, also marks the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Buildings in New York City were illuminated last year (One WTC)

Companies can turn their logo and social media channels purple or fly a purple flag.

This year’s theme for the day is ‘transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world’.

Disability History Month UK also runs until December 16 and the theme is disability, health and well-being.

Rachel Charlton-Dailey, guest editor of the Mirror's Disabled Britain series and columnist, welcomed the campaign but added: “It’s vital to remember that we contribute so much more to society than financially.

“Organisations must also make a real commitment to becoming more accessible and improving the lives of disabled people.”