International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day observed worldwide with the goal of raising awareness and supporting the rights of people with disabilities. It is observed every year on December 3rd. The first International Day of Persons with Disabilities was created by the United Nations in 1992, making this year the 32nd anniversary. The United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are the two biggest promoters of this day, hosting events and using their resources to help. Every year, there is a different theme for this day. Last year, in 2023, the theme for this day was “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs (sustainable development goals) for, with and by persons with disabilities”. This year, for 2024, the theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”. To commemorate this day, the UN is holding an event in their headquarters in New York. The WHO hosts an event in their headquarters in Geneva. Some related days coming up are Human Rights Day on December 10th, Judy Heumann’s (aka the Mother of the Disability Rights Movement) birthday on December 18th, World Braille Day on January 4th, World Cancer Day on February 4th and Audre Lorde’s (Intersectional Civil Rights Leader and Writer) birthday on February 18th.
According to the WHO’s Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities, published in 2022, disabled people make up 16% of the world’s population. Despite this, they are rarely are included in leadership positiions or advocacy roles, and find difficulty sticking up for their own rights, as they are rarely placed in positions of power or included in discussions. Including disabled people in decisions that affect their livelihood is immensely important. They are also focusing on increasing access to healthcare. It is very difficult to have access to the right tools and medications because of barriers like the availability of certain treatments in different areas, monetary constraint, transportation, knowledge of what options are available, discrimination/ableism, etc. People with disabilities are more likely to experience things like violence and poverty. They are less likely to have equal access to education and economic activities. Making sure that everyone around the world has the same access and opportunity, as well as creating health equity is one of the goals of this day. Because of this, it is also important to include them in situation that are not pointedly about disabilities, because they are people and they are affected by others actions just like any other person. Leaving them out does not acknowledge how they may be affected by certain situations, and the ways they are affected may be similar or different to non-disabled people. Increasing accessibility can help improve and save the lives of many people with disabilities. Increasing inclusion helps create a wide range of perspectives, ideas and solutions, which benefits everyone.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a very important day, because raising awareness helps break the stigma surrounding disabilities. Breaking the stigma stops prejudice, presumption and “othering” and creates community, conversation and openness.
I have listed some ways for you to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities down below.
1. Educate yourself: I have linked the sources I have used below, you can use them to gain a better understanding of what does day means.
2. Donate unused eyeglasses: Donating old glasses can help give them a new life to someone who may need them. It also can help support acessiblilty, as donated eyeglasses are often given to communities in need for little to no cost.
3. Consume media featuring or created by a disabled person: Many movies and tv shows feature disabled actors, directors and crew members, look for a new one to watch today. There are also many musicians with disabilities that you can support.
4. Support local businesses: You can look for local businesses that are owned by disabled people. You can also support/donate to businesses who are dedicated to uplifting disabled communites.
5. Learn some basic ASL signs: Learning some basic signs can help you communicate better with deaf/hard of hearing people. I have linked a source below.
https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/events/2024-international-day-persons-with-disabilities
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