Contents
The International Day of People with Disabilities, also known as Disability Day, is commemorated every year on December 3rd. Disability, or impairment, refers to a condition that affects a person’s body, which may include physical, mental, cognitive, developmental, intellectual, sensory, or a combination of these. Millions of people around the world face such challenges. The day aims to raise awareness about the difficulties experienced by people with disabilities, and the United Nations has designated this day to promote understanding of disability issues. The goal is to improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities, advocate for their rights, and mobilize support for their dignity.
“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.” – Stephen Hawking
Disability Day Observance
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | December 3 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | December 3 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | December 3 | Thursday |
| 2027 | December 3 | Friday |
| 2028 | December 3 | Sunday |
History of Disability Day
The first observance of Disability Day was held in the year 1992. United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 had proclaimed this Day. It is now an international observance promoted by the United Nations. The celebration Day is otherwise called the International Day of People with Disability (IDPD). It is a special day that assists people with disabilities to lead a better life like all other people in the world. It has been celebrated with different degrees of success from all around the globe. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding regarding disability issues and thus helps in mobilizing support for them concerning the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The observance Day also attempts to increase awareness of the profits that are to be derived from the integration of the disabled person in every aspect of life in political, social, economic, and cultural aspects. The Day was originally called the “International Day of Disabled Persons” until 2007. Each year the day focuses on a different issue with a theme. The plan for this international observance was started in the year 1976. The United Nations General Assembly had proclaimed the year 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). IYDP’s theme was “full participation and equality.” To provide equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation, and prevention of disabilities, IYDP had called for a plan of action at each level including the national, regional, and international levels. The General Assembly proclaimed the decade between the years 1983 and 1992 as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.
The year and theme of the International Day of People with Disability are as follows
- 1998 – Arts, Culture and Independent Living.
- 1999 – Accessibility for all for the new Millennium.
- 2000 – Making information technologies work for all.
- 2001 – Full participation and equality: The call for new approaches to assess progress and evaluate outcome.
- 2002 – Independent Living and Sustainable Livelihoods.
- 2003 – A Voice of Our Own.
- 2004 – Nothing About Us Without Us.
- 2005 – Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development.
- 2006 – E-Accessibility.
- 2007 – Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities.
- 2008 – Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us.
- 2009 – Making the MDGs Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.
- 2010 – Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and beyond.
- 2011 – Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.
- 2012 – Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.
- 2013 – Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all.
- 2014 – Sustainable development: The promise of technology.
- 2015 – Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities.
- 2016 – Achieving 17 Goals for the future we want.
- 2017 – Transformation towards a sustainable and resilient society for all.
- 2018 – Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.
- 2019 – Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda.
- 2020 – Not all Disabilities are Visible.
- 2021 – Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities.
- 2022 – Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.
- 2023 – United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities.
- 2024 – Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
Other Celebrations on December 3
December 3 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate Disability Day
Celebrating Disability Day is simple. Never discourage people with disabilities. Instead, take the opportunity to educate those around you that individuals with disabilities are fully capable of contributing to society. This day should be dedicated to discussions, campaigns, and forums addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
You can organize meetings and positivity rallies to encourage and uplift those with impairments. Additionally, hosting events, games, and activities for people with disabilities in your local area is a great way to celebrate. Share your thoughts and images from the day on social media using the hashtags #DisabilityDay or #InternationalDayOfPeopleWithDisability.