International Day of Persons with Disabilities: What You Need to Know

By Sydney Cook

Did you know that December 3rd is International Day of People with Disabilities? The United Nations (UN) first declared this international day of observance in 1992. You can observe this important day by increasing your knowledge in order to be a good ally to people with disabilities in your community. 

First of all, if you think you don’t know anyone with a disability, yes you do! The UN reports that over one billion people in the world have a disability, which translates to a total of approximately one in eight people worldwide. The word ‘disability’ conjures images in many people’s minds of a person who uses a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, cane, walker, or rollator. However, disabilities come in many forms and are not always apparent to a casual observer. The UN defines a person with a disability as someone with “a condition or function judged to be significantly impaired relative to the usual standard of an individual of their group.” 

There are many categories of disability, including:

-physical/ mobility related, in which someone may need full-time or periodic use of a mobility aid

-sensory, such as blindness or deafness

-cognitive differences, such as autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dyscalculia

-mental health conditions such as clinical anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia 

-chronic illnesses such as epilepsy, migraines, diabetes, arthritis, heart or lung disease, and more

Some conditions don’t fit neatly into any of the categories listed above, but often still meet the definition of a disability, such as Tourette syndrome, limb difference or amputation, or severe allergies. It is possible for almost any medical condition to be considered a disability if it affects someone’s life to a point where they need specific accommodations and assistance in order to be successful at work, school, or in their self-care and home life. 

Now that you know what a disability is, why is it important for us to observe a day where we spread awareness and advocate for disabilities? Throughout the world, people with disabilities are more prone to adverse life experiences and generally have poorer life outcomes than those without disabilities. According to the UN, people with disabilities around the world are more likely to live in poverty and be victims of violence than those without disabilities. 

Here are some ways you can observe International Day of People with Disabilities:

-Ask your school or employer to mark the day on their official calendar

-Volunteer for a disability-related organization in your area

-make or share a post or story on social media bringing awareness to the day and its significance

-Look for organizations in your area that engage in political disability advocacy and see if they have any political action initiatives you can participate in.This may include signing a petition or contacting your elected officials to ask them to support a bill or proposal. 

-Learn about disability history and the ways that hardworking activists have broken down barriers to achieve greater dignity and self-determination for disabled people.

-Support businesses owned by people with disabilities

Disability is natural, normal, and very prevalent within the human population. Now that you are armed with information, you are able to better ensure that this form of human diversity is respected and uplifted. By making strides towards disability awareness, accessibility, and inclusion, you are contributing towards the creation of a better, brighter world for everyone!

Works Cited

“Background | International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, United Nations, https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities/background.