International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed globally every year on December 3 celebrated with the objective to promote the rights and well-being of the persons with disabilities and promote their development in all spheres of society. An estimated one billion people out of the total seven billion of the world population that approximately accounts for 15 percent live with some of the other forms of disability. Out of them, 80 percent of the population live in developing countries and lack basic facilities.
More than 100 million disabled persons are below 18 years of age. People with Disabilities (PwDs) have been facing disproportionate access to facilities like health and hygiene, social and economic consequences of the global issues. They are cut off from participation in the decision-making process of the nation and society even in the cases that concern them. Hence, the day is observed to raise their participation in the decision-making and other sustainable development goals of the world.
This year, the theme for the day is
“Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
Annual observing of this day was first started in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly with a resolution of 47/3 with the aim of increasing awareness of the issues faced by persons with disabilities in every aspect of their life, be it political, social, economic, and cultural life. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006 and has been working in the field of disability for decades now.
The CRDP had been working on advancing the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international developmental goals and frameworks. The main purpose of the frameworks is to increase the participation of disabled people in society, end discrimination towards them, and create equal opportunities for them which will also include access to proper infrastructure and sensitization of people. Lack of awareness should be immediately addressed to make the world more receptive to their needs and also so that they can contribute to the society to their full potential.
