I’MPOSSIBLE PROJECT IN JAPAN

In many societies around the world, there is often hesitation or uncertainty when interacting with people with disabilities, stemming from a lack of familiarity, experience, or understanding. This sometimes leads to social distance or exclusion. Traditionally, educational and social systems have separated individuals with disabilities from the general population, reinforcing divisions and limiting opportunities for inclusion.

In Japan, this tendency has been especially pronounced, with students with disabilities historically attending separate 'special schools' and a cultural norm that tends to keep people with different needs apart.

To address these challenges, the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center (NFPSC) and the IPC partnered ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games to develop an educational programme aimed at promoting youth participation and inclusion through Para sport. By integrating this programme into schools alongside hosting the Paralympics, the initiative sought to create a lasting shift in societal attitudes and perceptions towards disability.

Who was involved?

The IPC was primarily responsible for the project coordination. The NFPSC served as project lead, while the Japan Paralympic Committee (JPC) had direct involvement in implementation. The development of the educational resources was carried out by Edcoms (now Hark London) in close collaboration with the three organisations. The IPC Education Committee advanced the project and provided essential feedback.

What was done?

The I'mPOSSIBLE toolkit was launched by the IPC in late 2017. As part of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Education Programme, the JPC began implementing I'mPOSSIBLE across the country. Between 2018 and 2021, the programme was introduced in more than 36,000 schools, and over 10,000 teachers were trained to deliver I'mPOSSIBLE in their classrooms, significantly increasing awareness of the Paralympic values among students.

To further engagement, the IPC launched the I'mPOSSIBLE Award, recognising outstanding implementation efforts by NPCs and contributions of Paralympians. The award ceremony was held during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony.

What made it special?

I'mPOSSIBLE has an ability to go beyond traditional education by creating immersive, values-based learning experiences. One of its distinctive features is the involvement of Paralympians in delivering the programme. Their participation brings real-life stories into the classroom, making abstract concepts of inclusion and ability tangible and relatable.

Another defining element is the programme’s participatory design, where teachers serve as facilitators rather than instructors. This shift fosters a more engaging, student-centred learning environment, encouraging critical thinking and active discussion.

Hosting the Paralympic Games and implementing I'mPOSSIBLE was a tremendous legacy feature of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. It embedded Paralympic values into the national curriculum during the event and the years that followed.

What changed?

Following Tokyo 2020, the JPC’s I'mPOSSIBLE team developed new educational resources, including materials in video format, to expand its reach and impact. Due to this sustained effort, the toolkit has seen nationwide uptake, with more than 200,000 downloads recorded by 2024. I'mPOSSIBLE is now a cornerstone of Paralympic education in Japan.

Another particularly powerful impact is the 'reverse education' effect: students carry their learning home, sparking conversations about disability and inclusion with parents and family members, effectively extending the programme’s reach beyond the classroom.

The I’mPOSSIBLE toolkit has been rolled out in more than 40 countries, reaching students far away from the host territories of the Games.

What was learned?

The Paralympic Games is an opportunity for host territories to consider how public schools are teaching and educating children about disability inclusion, and how the Paralympic Movement can support that education. I’mPOSSIBLE shows the next generation that people with and without disabilities can achieve the impossible in their lives, when unnecessary barriers are removed.