Friday 3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated by the United Nations each year, since 1992.

Over one billion people are estimated to have a disability, which is roughly 15% of the world’s population – the largest minority in the world. Yet, access is something that is limited. While this should not be the case, countries around the world continue to add to the weight of stigma and exclusion that is forced onto disabled people. As Friday approaches so do many more strategies to make daily lives as easy and as comfortable as possible for those with a disability. With hopes that this years International Day for Persons with Disabilities gets more recognition that results in solid positive change. Governments in various countries have made slow change over the years but is it enough?

People with disabilities are three times more likely to be denied health care and four times more likely to be treated badly in the health care system. This is an ongoing issue that countries claim to have resolved or tell the public it’s something that doesn’t happen. Still many countries have little to no laws in place for disabled people. Laws that still add unnecessary stress to their day-to-day lives, laws that do not protect them from discrimination and prejudice – people with disabilities are four to ten times more likely to experience violence.

Friday 3 December is a day to educate the public and celebrate the achievements and progress being made around the world. More individuals are starting to make this a topic of discussion, fighting for governments to enforce laws that help people with disabilities around the world. A campaign doing just that is WeThe15, this campaign launched last year during the 2020 Paralympics, showing the importance of inclusion in sports, which started by facing the inequalities, barriers, and discrimination that people with disabilities face.

“At a time when diversity and inclusion are hot topics, the 15% who have a disability want effective change to remove inequality and inactivity. Like race, gender, and sexual orientation, we want to have a movement all persons with disabilities can rally behind. A global movement that is publicly campaigning for disability visibility, inclusion, and accessibility.” As said by WeThe15.

If interested, you can find more information on WeThe15 here:  WeThe15 Campaign – Halo Staffing

One in six people worldwide have a disability that in some way impacts daily life another thing that adds hardships to the lives of those who are disabled is the way society interpretates disabilities and the limited awareness and knowledge that much of the population has on them. This can cause serious harm on an individual’s mental health.

In June 2019, the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy was launched. This strategy amplifies the full realisation of human rights for all people with disabilities. The 2020 programme year established a baseline on disability inclusion across 130 United Nations country teams. As well as showing evidence on the response and recovery for people with disabilities against COVID-19. (People with a disability were the hardest hit by COVID-19.)

Each year on 3 December events are organised to help better understand the added pressure caused by society on people with disabilities as well as educating the public worldwide.

Events this year include:

• “Shaping an Inclusive Future for All: Leading with Determination”, organised at Dubai Expo 2020. – More information to follow shortly.
• “Reducing Inequalities Through Technologies: A Perspective on Disability Inclusive Development”, a virtual event co-organised by United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affair, the World Intellectual Property of Organisation, and the International Telecommunications Union. – From 8:00 – 9:30 am (EST) – 1:00 – 2:30 pm (GMT)
• “Leadership of the new generations: Children and adolescents with disabilities and their voices post COVID-19”, a virtual event organised by the Office of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility, Professor Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes, United Cities and Local Governments and co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations.