This week we join millions of people around the globe to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) sponsored by the United Nations. December 3 is a day to reflect on global diversity, learn from the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and seek opportunities to promote inclusive, accessible societies. Through expanding equitable opportunities, we will find shared resiliency.
Persons with disabilities still struggle to access adequate health, education, transportation, and other basic services. However, as efforts continue towards an inclusive recovery from the ongoing pandemic, we anticipate solid impacts across communities, including persons with temporary impairments. Designing accessible infrastructure, education programs and health systems could change the trajectory of their lives.
IDPD’s global theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.”
Something to note:
- An estimated one billion people live with disabilities worldwide including 26 percent (one in 4) of adults in the United States.
Resources to learn more:
- Disability impacts all of us: view this CDC Infographic for additional insights.
- Disability: IN – a leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion.
- “My Disability Roadmap”– a new documentary follows a young man with cerebral palsy who is determined to achieve his goals, so he travels to meet successful adults who have disabilities to create a roadmap for himself and others.
- The World Bank – a “Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities” webcast. The World Bank hosted a live panel discussion featuring leaders from the government, private sector, and civil society to commemorate IDPD in 2021.
- Tips for Allyship from the CDC
