International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2011
Posted by Matt Hagg on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 08:32 AM
Since 1992, the United Nations has proclaimed December 3 of each year to be the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). These days are held each year with a different theme as a way to raise awareness and promote global disability issues. This year, building on the inclusive mainstreaming disability themes from 2009 and 2010, the theme is “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” with various sub themes on issues such as including women, children, and youth with disabilities in development, barrier removal and inclusive development, and including a disability perspective in all aspects of development processes. In previous years, themes of the IDPD have included various other topics, including "E-Accessibility" and "Independent Living and Sustainable Livelihoods".
Events are being held to commemorate the IDPD at the UN Headquarters in New York City, including panel discussions and an accessibility film festival, and around the world as well. In Toronto, the City will be recognizing the IDPD by holding an event on December 8 at City Hall to present the Access Award, which is “given to a person, group or organization that has made a significant contribution towards improving access for people with disabilities in Toronto.”
Further information on the IDPD can be found at: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1561
For more information on the City of Toronto's IDPD event and to RSVP, visit: http://www.toronto.ca/diversity/intl_day_disabilities.htm