International Day of People with Disabilities: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International Day of People with Disabilities (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International Day of People with Disabilities is celebrated on December 3rd.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International Day of People with Disabilities, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you might want to know about International Day of People with Disabilities.

📅 What day is International Day of People with Disabilities 2024?

In 2024, International Day of People with Disabilities is on Sunday, December 3rd. It is the 1st Sunday in December; in 2024, it is Tuesday. There are until the next observance. You also can see all intriguing details and facts about December 3, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Each year, on December 3rd, the world recognizes the International Day of People with Disabilities. It is crucial for those who are passionate about human rights to mark this day on their calendars. The United Nations, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has officially designated this day to raise awareness about the often underestimated number of individuals affected by disabilities. Shockingly, the current estimate is around one billion people, which means that approximately one in every seven individuals globally faces challenges due to some form of impairment. It is important to acknowledge and support these individuals.

📜 International Day of People with Disabilities History

This day serves two purposes: to honor the lives of individuals with disabilities and to raise awareness about current issues affecting them, while also bringing people together to advocate for their basic human rights. Originally called “International Day of Disabled Persons,” the name was changed in 2007. Each year, a different disability-related topic is highlighted to maintain interest. Interestingly, this day was not only given its own year but also its own decade. In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly declared 1981 as the “International Year of Disabled Persons,” focusing on equality and social participation. Recognizing that a year was not enough time for meaningful change, the United Nations then designated 1983 to 1992 as the “United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.” This allowed nations to inspire action and implement recommended reforms.

✅ International Day of People with Disabilities Facts

🔖 Women, children, and the elderly are vulnerable
Men have a lower probability of developing a disability compared to women, children, and the elderly.

🔖 The most impacted age group
Multiple research studies have found that the highest occurrence of impairment is observed in individuals between the ages of 10 and 19.

🔖 Disability and poverty do go hand-in-hand
Societies with lower income levels tend to have a greater number of individuals with disabilities.

👍 Why Is International Day of People with Disabilities Important

If Dr. Seuss didn’t tell you that previously, read “Horton Hears a Who.” Jokes aside, this day is significant in demonstrating solidarity and supporting the rights of individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of societal inclusion.

The goal of this day is to get people talking about and engaged with disabilities in order to affect change at both the micro and macro levels. People with disabilities must be included and given the same access and opportunities as those without disabilities.

Disability is a global condition affecting around 15% of the world’s population. With such a vast number of individuals living with impairments, there is a worldwide need to acknowledge and honor them.

🙂 How To Observe International Day of People with Disabilities

⚡ Learn the language(s) of disability
In order to effectively communicate with individuals who have different disabilities, it is important to recognize that disability extends beyond physical impairments. To improve connections with people with disabilities, there are multiple approaches to consider. These include learning sign language specific to your country and using appropriate terminology. Seek out resources and individuals who can assist in enhancing your understanding and ability to communicate with the people you know.

⚡ Engage with disability
You can find a variety of amazing novels written by individuals with disabilities. Some highly recommended ones are “The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me” by Keah Brown, “Solutions and Other Problems” by Allie Brosh, and “Girl at War: A Novel” by Sara Novic. If you’re not into fiction or prefer visual media, there are also numerous films and books available that delve into the topic of disability.

⚡ Spread awareness
Participate in a disability-focused event like a conference or social gathering, or explore a podcast in your community that discusses disability-related topics. By actively seeking opportunities and encouraging others to join, you can greatly enhance engagement and involvement.

📅 When is International Day of People with Disabilities?

See all 🔗 December holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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