International Day of People with Disabilities

International Day of People with Disabilities is observed annually on the 3^rd of December. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, as well as to raise awareness about the challenges and barriers that they face.

People with disabilities make up a significant portion of the global population. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us, live with some form of disability. Despite this, people with disabilities often face discrimination, stigma, and barriers to inclusion in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and healthcare.

International Day of People with Disabilities was established in 1992 by the United Nations to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.

There are many ways to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities. One way is to learn about disability rights and issues and take steps to promote inclusion and accessibility in your community. This could include advocating for policies that support people with disabilities, volunteering your time to organisations that serve this population, or simply being an ally and standing up against discrimination.

Another way to celebrate this day is to support and celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities. This could include supporting businesses owned by people with disabilities, attending events or performances by artists with disabilities, or simply sharing the stories and accomplishments of people with disabilities on social media.

International Day of People with Disabilities is a day to recognise the important contributions and challenges faced by people with disabilities and to work towards building a more inclusive and accessible world for all.

Here at Blind Low Vision NZ, our mission is to support people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision to live the life they choose. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 0800 24 33 33 or emailing info@blindlowvision.org.nz.