Every December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As a person with a disability, this is a great opportunity to help raise awareness. Issues faced by those with disabilities are often overlooked in society. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated globally to promote community awareness and understanding of people with disability. This year’s theme is:
Sustainable Development Goals:
SDGs refer to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There are 17 goals addressing global challenges related to things like poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace and justice. These 17 goals are interconnected, and the idea is to achieve them all by 2030. “People with Disabilities” or “disability” are specifically mentioned 11 times in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Disability is specifically included in goals 4, 8, 10, 11 and 17:
- Goal 4: Guaranteeing equal and accessible education by building inclusive learning environments and providing the needed assistance for persons with disabilities.
- Goal 8: Promoting inclusive economic growth, and full and productive employment allowing persons with disabilities to fully access the job market.
- Goal 10: Emphasizing the social, economic, and political inclusion of persons with disabilities.
- Goal 11: Creating accessible cities and water resources, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems, providing universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible, and green public spaces.
- Goal 17: Underlining the importance of data collection and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, with emphasis on disability disaggregated data.
Other goals, such as No Poverty (Goal 1), Zero Hunger (Goal 2), Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3), and Gender Equality (Goal 5), are also relevant to persons with disabilities. Currently, we are NOT on track to meet these goals.
Why Do We Need Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities?
Persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and abuse. For example, many are unable to receive accessible housing or participate in traditional workplaces. Further, many cannot access the medical care and services they need and have the legal right to receive. The rights of people with disabilities and often overlooked. In fact, according to the White House, many “disabled Americans are unable to vote, get to and from school, and enjoy public spaces, and are paid less for doing the same work”. According to the World Health Organization, “Many persons with disabilities die earlier, are at increased risk of developing a range of health conditions, and experience more limitations in everyday functioning than the rest of the population”.
Statistics On Persons With Disabilities:
Historically, persons with disabilities have been marginalized and “have often been among those left furthest behind”. So, in honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, here are some important statistics about disabilities:
- The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities was first proclaimed in 1992, by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which banned discrimination against disabled people in workplaces, schools, public transit, and more, was only signed into law in 1990.
- Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disability, or 16% of the global population. Of those with disabilities, 80% of them live in the Global South.
- 46% of people aged 60 and over are people with disabilities.
- 20% of women are likely to experience disability in their lifetime.
- 10% of children have disabilities.
- In Ontario, 15.5%, or 1.85 million people, have disabilities.
- Of the 70 million people worldwide who require a wheelchair, only 5-15% have access to one.
- Half of people with disabilities cannot afford health care.
How Can Society Support Persons with Disabilities?
- Support Independent Living: Persons with Disabilities should be able to participate in their home and community as independently as possible. As such, this means investing in accessible infrastructure and adapting spaces and products to meet individuals’ needs.
- Facilitate Mainstream Opportunities: Implement measures and programs to help people with disabilities improve their skills. Specifically, this includes the ability to attend higher education, build their skill sets, and participate fully in work-life. Also, this means preventing disability discrimination in the workplace.
- Teach Everyone About Disabilities: There is a fundamental lack of understanding of disability issues by the general population. Although it is impossible to understand just how ableist our society is until you become disabled, the well-being of persons with disabilities is everyone’s responsibility. Particularly, this includes civil society organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, workplaces, and more.
- Recognize that Persons with Disabilities have Diverse Needs: Every disability is different, and even those who have the same disability, condition, illness, or impairment may have different needs. So, accommodations and assistance must be individualized and personal. Essentially, we must focus on the person, not their disability.
- Make it Easier: Improve access for people with disabilities to social services and healthcare. Thus, we must reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency in supporting individuals and families to receive the support they are legally entitled to. Further, inclusive development of these changes and new policies should include the voices of persons with disabilities.
Conclusion:
In commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, it is essential to reflect on our collective responsibility toward fostering an inclusive and supportive society. As we align with the SDGs, it becomes evident that despite progress, individuals with disabilities still encounter discrimination and barriers. Further, the statistics on disabilities highlight the magnitude of this challenge, emphasizing the urgency of concerted efforts to create change.
Persons with disabilities should be actively involved in dismantling barriers, advocating for equal opportunities, and fostering an environment of understanding. One recurring challenge for persons with disabilities is the need for streamlined and efficient social services. The bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder access to essential resources and support need to change if we want to create a more accessible and compassionate society.
Recognizing and addressing these challenges is a crucial step toward building a world where every individual, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute meaningfully. In doing so, we honor the principles of dignity, equality, and justice, fostering a society that values the unique contributions of every individual.